A DRUNK man told by police not to get into his car was caught behind the wheel just 15 minutes later.

An officer visited Michael Satterley at his home in Griffin Close, Wimborne on the afternoon of Sunday, January 22 as part of Operation Dragoon.

The initiative aims to stop high-risk drivers from causing crashes on Dorset's roads. Motorists identified as part of the scheme are visited at their addresses by officers.

After arriving at Satterley's home, the officer noted that the 50-year-old was drunk.

However, he agreed to the visit and signed a letter to say he understood the reason the officer was at his address.

He was explicitly told not to drive.

When the officer left Satterley's address, she sat in her car parked nearby to complete paperwork.

Just 15 minutes later, she saw Satterley get into his Vauxhall Corsa and drive off.

When he saw the marked police vehicle, he panicked and drove the Corsa across the carriageway and into the kerb.

He then tried to reverse. However, he was unable to steer the car in a straight line and drove into a lamppost.

The officer was able to reach through an open window and take his keys from the ignition.

When Satterley was breathalysed at Bournemouth police station, he had 126 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - more than three-and-a-half times the legal limit.

He appeared at Bournemouth Magistrates' Court in April to admit drink driving and was sentenced to a 30-month driving ban, a 12-month community order with a rehabilitation requirement, 200 hours of unpaid work and costs of £85.

Op Dragoon was launched by Dorset Police's roads policing and 'no excuse' teams in September last year as part of a bid to prevent prolific road users from causing serious injuries and fatalities.

PC Leonard said: “Drink driving can have a devastating impact and this campaign is aimed at reducing the risks posed by the likes of Satterley to other road users.

“I hope the sentence imposed shows that drink driving on Dorset’s roads will not be tolerated.

“We will continue to visit drivers who are identified as posing a risk to encourage them to consider the consequences of their reckless driving before we are called to the aftermath.”