Enris Hoti, of Seaside, also had herbal cannabis on him at the time of the accident and pleaded guilty to drink driving and possession of an illegal substance when he appeared before the town's magistrates on Thursday.

The court heard Hoti was driving a green BMW through the one-way system in Pevensey Bay when he lost control of the vehicle and hit a 12-year-old boy who was standing with his bike on the pavement.

The incident happened outside the Beach Tavern Pub, Eastbourne Road, on May 3 and a group of customers from the pub chased Hoti down the road.
Aware of the crowd, Hoti continued to drive before stopping further down the road.

Police arrived, Hoti was arrested and a breath test recorded 61mcg or alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

He was searched at Eastbourne custody centre and found to be in possession of 0.6g of cannabis.

Graham Pithouse, defending, explained, "He was out drinking and then had an argument with his partner when he returned home.

"His partner had indicated she was going out, he didn't want this to happen and as a result started to follow her in his car.

"There is a suggestion he started to drive away after the collision but it is my instruction that he was aware there was a crowd gathering and I think it is fair to say this was not a happy crowd so he moved down the road to wait for the police."

Mr Pithouse explained the cannabis was for Hoti's personal consumption and asked for credit for his early guilty plea.

Magistrates ordered the drugs to be destroyed and fined Hoti £25.
He was given an 15-month driving ban and ordered to pay a £180 fine, £60 in court costs and a £15 surcharge.