A motorist drove on the wrong side of a dual carriageway because he was low on fuel and did not want to travel further to a service station, a court heard.

Police officers spotted Georgi Hristov travelling the wrong way on the A2 at Dunkirk near Faversham at about 3.45am on May 2.

The 37-year-old, of Colonels Lane, Boughton-under-Blean, then pulled into the Gate Services in his Mercedes.

Prosecutor Antony Hook said when officers spoke to Hristov, who admitted dangerous driving, his explanation was he was short of fuel and instead of continuing on the dual carriageway and going back he turned around.

Adjourning sentence at Maidstone Crown Court until February 2 for a report, Judge Adele Williams warned that all sentencing options, including prison, were open.

An interim driving ban was imposed. Bail was continued, conditional on residence.