A BUS driver led police on a high-speed chase in his wife's car while twice the drink-drive limit.

Stephen Penhaligon was at a boozy wedding when he had a row with his other half and went home to arm himself with a knife, a court heard.

But when police saw the 33-year-old behind the wheel of the Ford Focus he sped away, going through three red lights.

Tessa Hingston, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court how the incident unfolded on the night of Saturday, July 30.

She said Mrs Penhaligon called the police saying he had got into her car following the argument while drinking at the Blunsdon House Hotel.

Soon after a neighbour in Pasteur Drive also called police saying they saw him in a heated exchange with someone, coming out holding what appeared to be a knife.

Officers looking for the car spotting it on Marlborough Road and followed it towards the A419 with the lights and sirens on.

After going round a roundabout four times it pulled away, weaving in and out of traffic before turning towards junction 15 on the A419.

A knife was seen being thrown from the window before it turned round to go north, going at 90 to 100mph, before getting off at Blunsdon at the last minute.

The car then went through three red traffic lights and as he approached Sams Lane police threw a stinger device across the road, puncturing his tyres.

But he carried on driving at 50mph, losing control as he was on the wheel rims, past the Freke Arms towards Hannington for about a mile.

He eventually lost control of the vehicle, crashing into a fence, and was arrested in the car where he was found to be twice the limit.

Penhaligon, of Looe, Cornwall, pleaded guilty to drink-driving, dangerous driving, failing to stop and possessing an offensive weapon.

Mike Pulsford, defending, said his client had been undergoing treatment for his mental health and was awaiting a psychiatric report.

As a result of the incident he said his second marriage had broken down, he had lost his job as a bus driver, and lost his home, moving back in with his family in Cornwall.

He said there had been arguments after he failed to give his partner children and suffered self esteem issues as a result.

After taking part in drinking games at the family wedding he rowed with his wife, and her brother stepped in to try and protect her.

"The brother-in-law has told me to kill myself so I am going to take a knife back to the reception and tell him 'Do it for me'," Mr Pulsford said.

"He is a man who has not displayed any violent behaviour in the past, something made him completely snap."

Judge Tim Mousley QC put off passing sentence so the psychiatric report could be completed.

He said: "I have immediate custody in the forefront of my mind but I do have concerns about doing so until final mental health issues are sorted out."

He adjourned the case to Friday, October 28, and released Penhaligon, who is under an interim disqualification, on bail until then.