A REPEAT drink driver snared four times in the past four years emailed the police officer who interviewed him asking for help to address his alcohol problem.

Daniel Windard, 27, initially tried to drive away when officers signalled for him to pull over in Haven Road, Colchester.

Colchester Magistrates Court heard the binge drinker was behind the wheel of his employer’s car without insurance.

Andrew Young, prosecuting, said the boss had “reluctantly” allowed Windard to drive the car.

“The vehicle belonged to his employer,” he said.

“He said they had been out consuming alcohol and he reluctantly allowed the defendant to drive the vehicle under the understanding he drop off his employer, go home and then return the vehicle to the workplace.

“The defendant drove home and went to sleep, when he woke up he drove to pick up a friend.

“That is when he was not permitted to drive the vehicle.”

When Windard was pulled over at around 3.15pm on July 3, he was found to have 50mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.

The legal limit is 35mg.

Windard had recently reached the end of a two year driving ban, imposed in 2016 following a drink driving charge.

He was also convicted of drink driving in 2012 and being drunk in charge of a vehicle in 2015.

Lucy Osborne, mitigating, said: “He describes himself as a binge drinker and once under the influence of alcohol he makes some very bad judgements.”

She said her client had initially refused the offer of help from the officer conducting his police interview following the arrest but she insisted upon reflection Windard is desperate to accept treatment for his alcohol problem.

“He even emailed the police officer who interviewed him,” she said.

“He said ‘You asked me if I need help and I said no. On reflection, looking at my situation and what I have done and how I behaved I think the answer should have been yes.’”

Windard, of Glebe Gardens, Feering, admitted drink driving, driving without insurance and taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent.

Magistrates adjourned sentencing until September 10 to allow for a probation service report to be carried out.

But they warned Windard he could be jailed and at minimum should expect a three year ban.