A MAN has been fined for drink driving without a licence or insurance, after trying to roll a car down a hill with the engine switched off.

Lee Swain, 21, pleaded guilty to driving without a licence, driving without insurance, driving while over the limit and possession of cannabis at Salisbury Magistrates Court on Friday (March 24).

Prosecuting, Nick Barr, said two police officers on patrol on Wilton Road on March 3 saw a car being driven towards them very slowly, with no headlights on and the hazard lights flashing.

Police signalled the vehicle to stop, and Swain got out of the car to speak to them.

Mr Barr said one of the officers asked Swain why his lights were not on and Swain "shrugged his shoulders, turned on his heel and ran off".

Officers caught up with him and arrested him, and when they ran checks on the vehicle discovered that Swain was not insured to drive it and did not hold a driving licence.

At the police station, Swain told officers he had 0.5g of cannabis in his jacket pocket.

Defending, Nick Redhead said Swain had been drinking with friends in the Royal Oak on Devizes Road but that the evening "had not gone swimmingly well".

Mr Redhead said one of Swain's friend had a car that they were going to use to drive to the next pub, but it was out of fuel.

Swain volunteered to steer the car, and the owner gave it a push down the hill to start it rolling, Mr Redhead said the engine was not switched on and that Swain was "only very marginally over the drink drive limit".

Bench chairman Richard Trahair fined Swain £300 and disqualified him from driving for 12 months. He must also pay £115 costs.