This is the moment a suspected drink-driver eats a police form given to him by a Russian traffic cop before attempting to escape from the patrol car.

The driver was pulled over by the police near the city of Irkutsk in the southern Russian region of Irkutsk Oblast after they received reports of a motorist violating numerous traffic regulations, including driving on the wrong side of the road and cutting up other vehicles.

The local police said officers noticed that the motorist appeared heavily intoxicated and then discovered that his driving licence had expired over 10 years ago.

The man allegedly refused to undergo an alcohol test, and swore and insulted the police officers as they drew up the paperwork.

The police officer sitting alongside the man in the car, who patiently endured his mood swings, was then shocked when he handed the paperwork to the man for him to sign, only to have it ripped free by the suspect who then tried to eat it.

The amazed police officer tries to stop him, but then the man breaks free and opens the door of the cop car, leaping out in a bid to escape.

However, a policeman who was in the back of the car was quicker, and managed to get out and arrest him before putting him back in the vehicle, this time in handcuffs.

Once the man was safely arrested the two officers took him to a nearby police station where he was allowed to sober up overnight but remains in custody as the investigation continues.

The suspect, a 48-year-old resident of the town Zima, was charged with operating a vehicle without a licence and refusing to undergo an alcohol test and has been placed in administrative detention for 10 days.