A DRINK-DRIVER who sped away from police after being caught sleeping at the wheel was arrested when officers followed his tyre tracks in the snow.

Michael Todd, 24, was spotted snoozing in his blue Ford Escort in Broughton, near Banbury, with the engine running and lights on during the snowfall on April 6.

Oxford Crown Court heard today that when two officers knocked on the window at 3.30am, Todd drove off - dragging along one of them as he held the door handle.

Jonathan Stone, prosecuting, said: "The officer managed to jump out of its path but was struck by the car's offside headlight on his right leg."

The police followed the tracks and found the car in nearby Salt Lane. Footsteps in the snow led to Todd lying in the snow.

Todd, of Ruskin Road, Banbury, had three previous convictions for drink-driving and another for being drunk in charge of a vehicle.

Alistair Grainger, defending, admitted Todd's record was "atrocious", adding: "When he was spotted by police he did not even know what he was doing in his car."

Todd admitted dangerous driving and drink-driving. Judge Anthony King sentenced him to eight months in jail and banned him from driving for four years.