A Bucks drink driver who crashed his car in Little Marlow has admitted to attempting to flush a police guidebook down a toilet after he was arrested.

James Burrows, aged 37, of Shootacre Lane in Princes Risborough, pleaded guilty to common assault, criminal damage and drink driving at a hearing at Wycombe Magistrates’ Court today (Tuesday).

The court heard how on Tuesday, June 1, Burrows had drunk five or six pints of beer at a pub in Cookham before getting in his VW Touareg to drive home.

While driving through Marlow Road in Little Marlow, Burrows crashed into another vehicle on a roundabout. Both drivers pulled into Marlow Fire Station and Burrows became aggressive towards the victim, assaulting him.

The victim’s wife, who was in the car, called the police, who came to the scene and arrested Burrows.

After he refused to take a roadside breath test, officers took Burrows to Maidenhead Police Station, and while in a holding cell he ripped up and then attempted to flush a police codes of practice book down the toilet. This caused the toilet to overflow and resulted in water damage.

The prosecutor told the court that she was seeking compensation from Burrows - £60 for the water damage and £7.63 for the guidebook.

The court heard from Burrows's lawyer that he is "extremely remorseful" for what took place and that he had been under high stress in the lead-up to the incident because his plumbing company was struggling financially.

Magistrates agreed that a fine alone will not be a suitable punishment for Burrows, and will consider a community order after consulting with probation services.