A DIABETIC Evesham man banned from driving passed out at the wheel and crashed during a desperate bid to buy chocolate bars.

Philip Fulford, from Peewit Road, was trying to raise his blood sugar levels, a court heard on Monday.

He tried to find a shop selling sweet products but hit a parked car as he fell unconscious. The 56-year-old admitted taking the car without permission and driving it dangerously while disqualified with no insurance.

Worcester Magistrates Court heard Fulford had spent the morning laying turf at his girlfriend's mobile home and began to feel an oncoming hypoglycaemic attack. Lesley Ashton, prosecuting, said he picked up the keys of his partner's Nissan while she was at work.

He wanted to travel to a set of onsite shops but when he found they were closed attempted to travel home. As he crossed Bridge Street, in Pershore, his speed dropped to about 5mph, and he careered into a Suzuki car, knocking off its wing mirror and leaving a six to eight-inch scratch along its side.

He was removed from the car and taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital before being interviewed by police. He acknowledged during questioning that when suffering from low sugar levels "the last thing you should do is get into a car" and apologised for what had happened.

Amer Hussain, defending, said Fulford had already paid compensation to drivers affected by the crash in Pershore.

Magistrates said they had insufficient powers to deal with the matter and sent it to be dealt with at Worcester Crown Court on Friday, March 11.