THE lorry driver responsible for causing nine-hour delays on the M3 said he “wanted to go to prison” as police arrested him.

Paul Turton’s HGV smashed into a concrete matrix sign after he drove on the embankment of the motorway at junction 12 at around 9.35pm on Sunday.

His vehicle overturned and its contents, reams of paper, spilled out across the motorway, leaving hundreds of motorists stuck in massive delays.

Southampton Magistrates’ Court heard that officers said he “smelt of alcohol” and was “unsteady on his feet”.

Prosecutor Dan O’Neill told the court that hours before Turton had collected papers he was expected to deliver from Tyneside to Poole.

He said: “After the junction, which goes downhill and is unlit in the dark, Turton travelled on the embankment for around 150 metres before colliding with the sign.

“The contents...spilled out over three lanes on the southbound route.”

The court heard that Turton managed to get out of his lorry after it had overturned by climbing out through its sun roof.

Officers at the scene said Turton admitted to being over the drink drive limit.

One said: “He told officers that his life was over and that he had only gone to work that day to pay off debts.

“He said he had lost his wife and wanted to go to prison.

“He sounded as if he was drunk and rambling.”

Mr O’Neill added: “He was asked to provide a specimen of breath, but he told officers that he had chest pains.

“He was then asked to give a blood sample but he said he had a phobia of needles.”

The court heard that Turton told officers at the scene he had been drinking.

However, Tom Brymer, mitigating, said Turton had made the comments as a joke.

Mr Brymer said: “Inside his lorry, he had stored alcohol that he had received from people at Christmas.

“When the vehicle crashed it smashed all over him and made him smell of alcohol.

“We cannot prove he was drinking that night as no sample was made.”

The court was told that officers found cans and bottles of Stella, Budweiser and Guinness among the debris on the road.

Turton, of Quebec Road, Scunthorpe, pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen and driving without due care and attention.

He was given a 12-month community order and will carry out 250 hours of unpaid work.

Turton was also disqualified from driving for 28 months and ordered to pay £85 costs and £85 victim surcharge.