A policeman claimed there was a "distinct lack of officers" in his force, the trial of a former international footballer heard today.

Pc Simon Hughes, who works for Suffolk Police, suggested that the staffing situation was "crazy".

He was giving evidence to magistrates in Sudbury, Suffolk, at the drink-driving trial of radio host and former footballer Alan Brazil.

Brazil, 48, who lives near Hadleigh, Suffolk, denies driving with excess alcohol on the A14 near Bury St Edmunds on September 16 last year.

Magistrates saw a police DVD of Brazil trying to provide a breath sample at Bury St Edmunds Police Station shortly after he was stopped in the early hours.

Brazil was seen complaining about the quality of policing.

He was unhappy about the difficulty he was having in providing a breath sample and about the time the process was taking.

"This why there's no coppers on the street now because of all this crap with respect," said Brazil, a striker with Ipswich Town, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and who now hosts a radio show on talkSPORT.

"I do it on my radio show all the time. I am not trying to make light of the situation but why do you have to go through all this? It's crazy."

Pc Hughes told him: "To be fair it does not help. There is a distinct lack of police officers. It's crazy.

"Me and my colleague are a county-wide resource. We go all over the place.

"Every day we will get a phone call from another area saying can you help us out. Every time we go on duty."

Brazil is seen becoming more frustrated as he makes a number of unsuccessful attempts to give the breath test machine an acceptable sample.

"I am beginning to enjoy this. I don't believe it," added Brazil.

"I'm not sure about this machine."

Pc Hughes told Brazil that he may have to spend some time in a police station cell if his breath test is positive.

"Oh no. Please! Incredible," replies Brazil.

"Paedophiles get what? Three months? Then come out and I am going to get banged up for a couple of hours. With the greatest of respect the law's an ass."

Brazil goes on: "It's all wrong. I have had a bottle of wine. If I am over I am over. I will lose my licence. I have no problem with that. I am an idiot for not staying over."

After a number of attempts the breath test machine showed that Brazil is about twice the legal drink-drive limit.

"Jesus," says Brazil. "I'm double. That's frightening.

"I can't believe it. I am double. I swear.

"Mind you I was out last night."

He adds: "Change job I think. It might do me a favour to be honest. It could do me a favour. I am sick of London.

"It takes over your life doing media in London. It takes over your life. I swear."

Pc Hughes suggests that Brazil earns "good money".

"It's great money," replies Brazil. "But money's not everything.

On the DVD Pc Hughes says he is allowing Brazil repeated attempts at giving a breath sample because the radio presenter had been "nice".

"If you had been arsey with us then I would not have given you a second chance," Pc Hughes tells Brazil.

"Because you have been nice I am trying to give you a second chance."

When he learned that he is twice the drink-drive limit Brazil said: "It's a bummer. Christ."

Magistrates were told police stopped Brazil's BMW X5 after becoming concerned because it was travelling at between 50mph and 55mph on a road with a 70mph speed limit and straying onto the nearside.

Brazil had failed a roadside breath test and then had been taken to Bury St Edmunds Police Station for further tests.

Gary Bromelow, for Brazil, has suggested to the court that the breath test machine at the police station may not have been working properly.

The hearing continues.