A drink driver three times over the limit who stole his grandma’s car before crashing it into a parked car in Bean has been jailed.

Michael Atkinson had been out with his girlfriend on January 4 and returned drunk to his nan’s house at about 11pm.

Just over three hours later he took the keys to the red Peugeot 206 but only managed to drive a short distance down the road when he collided with a parked grey Fiat Punto.

The force of the collision saw Atkinson flipping the car on its side and stranded in the middle of the road, while the Punto was left with damage.

He managed to climb out of the top of the car through the passenger door, before pleading with witnesses not to call police.

He stayed at the scene until officers arrived and then attempted to run off before being detained.

While in custody, Atkinson gave a breath test reading of 122 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

The legal limit is 35.

Atkinson, 22, of Sandy Lane in Bean, pleaded guilty via virtual court on January 6 to aggravated vehicle taking, driving a motor vehicle when alcohol above legal limit and using a motor vehicle without third party insurance.

He was jailed by magistrates in Dartford for five and a half months and disqualified from driving for a year.

Detective Constable Brian Smith said: "The fact Atkinson could drive barely 100 yards down the road without being involved in a collision shows just how dangerous he was under the influence of alcohol and behind the wheel.

"Thankfully it was in the early hours of the morning when the road was empty of traffic or pedestrians otherwise this could have been a more serious incident.

"Atkinson was arrested by officers at the scene, charged shortly after and then appeared via virtual court three days later where he was sentenced by magistrates to 165 days imprisonment.

"This was an example of swift justice at its best, with the offender arrested, charged and sentenced within the space of a day.

"It demonstrates that Kent Police and the courts take a dim view of drink driving and we will do everything in our power to bring those responsible to justice.’