A drink driver could not be sentenced for his crimes because he was too drunk to enter the court.

Anthony Foreman, 56, of Aldbury Close, Watford, was due to be sentenced yesterday for drink driving, driving while disqualified and without a licence.

However, security guards at Hemel Hempstead Magistrates Court would not let Foreman into the building because of his drunken behaviour.

His defence told magistrates her client wanted to be sentenced but "friends" had brought him a bottle of vodka because he was worried about the proceedings.

As an alcoholic the temptation was too much, the court heard.

Because Foreman had brought the situation on himself, by getting drunk, the law states he could be arrested for failing to attend court.

However, his defence asked the magistrates not to arrest him, but to set another date when they could ensure he did not drink first.

But chairman of the bench Neville Wade issued a warrant for Foreman's arrest.

Meanwhile as proceedings were being heard security complained that Foreman had urinated up against the wall outside the courthouse and sat abusing passers-by.

He will be sentenced at a later date once police arrest him, having entered guilty pleas previously to the offences committed on Sunday, June 24.

He is on an interim driving disqualification until that date.