A suspected drink driver "abandoned" his car with the engine running in the middle of a petrol station forecourt.
Police had been called to the home of Mark Dodd's ex after she'd dialled 999 because he was refusing to leave.
However, by the time officers arrived, he'd already driven off in his red Saab, although it was expected he was under the influence of booze.
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His vehicle was soon found with the engine running in the middle of an Esso garage forecourt, North Tyneside Magistrates' Court was told.
Officers believed Dodds, of Peregrine Place, Longbenton, who has two past convictions for drink driving, was intoxicated so he was arrested.
However, the 33-year-old turned aggressive with officers and refused to take a breath test.
But Dodd's foolish decision has now landed him with a 17-month driving ban and a £200 fine after he pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen.
Sue Bake, prosecuting, said police were called to the home of Dodd's ex in Longbenton at around 9pm on August 1 this year after he refused to leave the property.
"By the time officer arrived, he had left," Mrs Baker continued. "He was reported as having left in an intoxicated state and was driving a red Saab.
"Officers immediately conducted a search for the vehicle. As they were driving towards Four Lanes Ends, they observed the car in the forecourt of an Esso garage.
"It had been abandoned on the forecourt with the engine running."
The court heard that Dodds was found inside the garage shop but denied being the owner of the Saab.
He was arrested on suspicion of drink driving after officers deemed he smelled of booze.
However, he turned abusive and refused to provide any breath samples when back at the police station.
Mark Harrison, defending, said Dodds, who has two past convictions for driving with excess alcohol on 2007 and 2010, had wanted his lawyer present before he gave any samples.
The solicitor added: "The police, obviously, are keen to get readings as quickly as possible as a canny defendant may keep his lawyer on the phone for and hour or so, so the alcohol can leave their system.
"Mr Dodds was not doing that but should have complied with the reasonable requests of the officers and spoke to his lawyer afterwards."
The court heard that Dodds was on a community order, given earlier this year for possession of an offensive weapon, at the time but had been complying well.
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