"He accepts he was high in the seat but he was not standing and was in control of the vehicle. It’s a very small car. It would have been like the Big Friendly Giant in Noddy’s car."

Mr Elliott initially denied dangerous driving and the case was going to trial, which would have resulted in a Ford Ka being brought to court so that the jury could have seen how Mr Elliott looked sitting at the wheel.

Judge Amanda Rippon, who heard the case on Monday, said: "It would simply be a case of bringing a Ford Ka to court, parking it in the car park and then everyone could see how the defendant looks when he is sitting at the wheel.

"In the photographs I have seen of the incident in question his head and shoulders are above the silver roll bar behind his seat, that is some four to five inches down from the back of his neck."

Judge Rippon said she could see the defendant in the dock and didn't think he was that tall.

From the dock Mr Elliott answered: "That's because I am sitting down."

It started verbal sparring between the two which resulted in Mr Elliott calling the judge a "stupid cow" which resulted in him being locked up over the lunch break until he apologised to her.