An off-duty Ellesmere Port policeman who crashed a police car into the gates at Cheshire Constabulary’s headquarters in Winsford, has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.

PC Kevin Szabo, 39, of Prestatyn, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday afternoon.

He was accused of driving a Vauxhall Astra dangerously from Ellesmere Port police station on January 29 last year.

His trip took him along the A55 and A54 to Winsford, where the police building is located.

Initially the officer had pleaded not guilty to the charge but changed his plea on Friday.

During the hearing Nicholas Walker, defending, told the court Szabo is awaiting six weeks of “intensive treatment”, beginning in April to combat stress.

Judge Clement Goldstone, QC, adjourned the case until March 27 for a pre-sentence report.

To days before the incident Szabo, who lives in Wales but serves with the Cheshire force, is believed to have been at the centre of a six-hour stand-off at his home in Prestatyn on Trevor Road.At the time a spokesman for North Wales Police said that “no further action” would be taken because no criminal offence had taken place.

Deputy Chief Constable Helen King also said at the time: “Since September the Constabulary has been supporting an officer from the Ellesmere Port area who has been absent through ill health.

“Cheshire Constabulary supported North Wales Police to resolve an incident at the officer’s address in Prestatyn.

“The officer was able to take possession of a police car and drive it to the force Headquarters at Winsford where he was arrested.

“The incident was professionally managed to ensure that the public and members of staff were not put at risk.

“Nobody suffered any injuries, although minor damage was caused to the police car.

“The Constabulary provides extensive help and support to officers and staff through line managers, the Occupational Health Unit, help lines, the Police Federation and Unison, recognising the demanding and stressful nature of police work.”

Nicholas Walker, defending, told the court Szabo is awaiting six weeks of ‘intensive treatment’ in April to combat stress.

Judge Clement Goldstone, QC, adjourned the case until March 27 for a pre sentence report.