"Appalling" drunk joyrider jailed

Benjamin Wood, 20, of Elizabeth Road, Sompting, stole a Ford Fiesta then sped through Brighton, reaching speeds of up to 70mph in a 30mph limit, driving on the wrong side of the road, and jumping nine red lights.

The chase last October came to an end only when Wood crashed into a kerb as he took a bend at speed.

The driver, who had never passed a test, tried to flee officers but was arrested after they used captor spray on him. A breathalyser test revealed he had 51mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath - the legal driving limit is 35mg.

Jeremy Cave, prosecuting, told Hove Crown Court the police chase began just before midnight, when Wood sped past an unmarked police car.

He said: "The driver put on the blue flashing lights and went in pursuit. The vehicle crossed a roundabout at 70mph in a 30mph restriction. He went straight through red traffic lights into Western Road, having to avoid a taxi waiting at the lights, and went on the wrong side of the road."

Mr Cave told the court the police car carried on following Wood through the city centre as he jumped red lights.

He added: "He hit a kerb, writing the car off. He got out of the car and ran off.

"He was chased by officers and arrested by officers using captor spray. A total of nine red lights were passed through and he caused at least two vehicles to take evasive action.

"The car, valued at 1,000, was written off."

Barbara Down, representing Wood, told the court: "Mr Wood had been drinking 1 alcoholic drinks. He says at that point in his life, everything was chaotic. He accepts his behaviour was atrocious."

Jailing Wood, who admitted driving with excess alcohol, aggravated vehicle taking and breaching a conditional discharge for theft, Recorder Anthony Chinn told him his driving had been "appalling."

He added: "You could potentially have caused the death of a member of the public."

Wood was also disqualified from driving for three years and ordered to pass an extended test before being allowed a driving licence.