Police had been alerted about concerns for Steven Henson's welfare when he was spotted at the wheel of a Vauxhall Corsa in Wellingborough Road on October 7.

But when an officer tried to speak to him, he sped off, driving erratically from Bush Hill, overtaking two cars on a mini-roundabout, and cutting corners.

Michael Waterfield, prosecuting at Northampton Crown Court, said Henson, aged 33, continued on past Northampton College where he overtook a line of traffic.

"He would have been on the wrong side of the road for a little while and a bus had to stop. There's also a suggestion he tried to ram at a police car."

Henson, of Halton Avenue, Wellingborough, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and was banned for two years, fined £250, with £15 victim surcharge, £200 costs and must also pay his defence costs.

Judge Ian Alexander QC said there was no suggestion Henson had been drinking or was on drugs.

He said: "You did not really dispute any of the facts, except the bus. The background to this is you were not in a normal state of mind and it seems to me this could have been dealt with as a normal motoring offence."

The court heard Henson is receiving treatment for bi-polar disorder at St Mary's psychiatric hospital in Kettering. The judge added: "I hope you have the good sense to let the doctors assist you. You will be disqualified for two years."