Arno Carstens in court for drunk driving

Cape Town - The Cape Town Magistrate's Court heard that local musician Arno Carstens smelled of alcohol and staggered on his feet when he was arrested for drunk driving a few years ago, it was reported on Wednesday.

According to the Cape Argus, Constable Lionel Galant told the court on Tuesday that he pursued a black Mercedes-Benz with tinted windows around 23:00 on 19 December 2010, but that the car kept turning into side roads.

The car, which the former Springbok Nude Girls frontman was driving, eventually stopped when Galant sounded his siren.

"I... asked him to get out. I noticed he was unsteady on his feet and... he smelled of alcohol," the policeman reportedly said.

"I asked the accused if he had had anything to drink. He said yes and that he just came from a party where he had a few beers."

Carstens has denied the allegations.

His attorney Milton de la Harpe reportedly said he would lead expert evidence that alcohol did not smell and that one could stagger for many reasons.

He also accused Galant of fabricating his evidence after going through transcripts of the case.

The trial continues later on Wednesday.