A DRIVER who was so drunk that he called police himself has been banned from getting behind the wheel for two years.

Mark Cook, who was four times the limit, called police to report an “obstruction” outside his home.

Police arrived at the 48-year-old’s home, on Victoria Road, Stanford-le-Hope, with Cook turning up minutes later.

And while PC Stuart Mackinnon, from the newly formed town centre team, expected to find a frustrated resident he instead found a rather drunk one.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “Mark Cook called us to say that there was an obstruction outside his home and PC Stuart Mackinnon attended while on his patrol.

“Cook arrived at the scene in his car minutes later before becoming abusive to PC Mackinnon, who quickly established that his breath smelt like alcohol and his words were slurred.

“A reading in custody found he was four times over the drink drive limit.”

Cook was banned from driving for two years and ordered to pay a £230 fine at Basildon Magistrates’ Court last week. The offence happened on July 7.

And he was not the only reckless drink driver.

Darren Grant, 39, of King Street, Stanford-le-Hope, was banned for a year and eight months.

He was spotted, also by PC Mackinnon, using his phone while driving on Saturday July 27.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “PC Mackinnon activated his body worn camera after Darren Grant was seen using his phone behind the wheel of his car in London Road.

“Grant also smelt like alcohol and a reading showed he was three times over the drink drive limit.”

Sgt Ben Forbes said: “These results are thanks to the dedication and commitment of our town centre team.

“Following these two arrests and successfully convictions, which have been possible thanks to PC Mackinnon’s proactive policing, we have now prevented these drivers from causing a risk to public safety whilst they remain disqualified.

“My plea to the public is if you are thinking of drinking and driving, then don’t as you will be prosecuted and if you suspect someone of drink driving, then please make sure you call police.