A DRUNK driver has not been sentenced due to a prosecuting barrister "shortage".

Kalup Hughes, of Matthews Road in Amesbury, appeared at Salisbury Crown Court on Friday, May 31, after pleading guilty to four offences.

The 32-year-old was caught dangerously drink driving in Salisbury on February 8 before he kicked the arresting police officer.

Hughes pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker, drink driving, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and without insurance at Salisbury Magistrates' Court on May 2.

Read more: ​Drunk driver attacked police after chase through Salisbury

But when Mr Recorder Richard Onslow called Hughes' sentencing case on, he told the court there was a "shortage of barristers to prosecute cases".

Despite the Crown Prosecution Service "making efforts to find one", no barrister was available.

Salisbury Journal: Kalup Hughes outside Salisbury Law Courts on Thursday, May 2.Kalup Hughes outside Salisbury Law Courts on Thursday, May 2. (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Onslow said: "No doubt Mr Hughes has been working himself up about what might happen because he knows it's a serious offence that might land him in prison."

He added that the shortage of CPS barristers has also affected rape cases.

"It's distressing for all concerned but I'm afraid that is the fact of life today," added Mr Onslow.

Hughes will be sentenced at Salisbury Crown Court on Thursday, June 13.