A banned drink-driver who was arrested after crashing into an ambulance as it raced to an emergency call has been jailed for six months.

Gediminas Bartkevicius gave false details to police, produced a bogus driving licence and told officers he had "only" had four or five pints.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the 30-year-old Lithuanian continued to drive while disqualified because he needed to get to work in the construction industry.

Now, Bartkevicius, of Maritime Gate, Northfleet, has been put off the road for another three-and-a-half years.

He admitted perverting the course of justice, driving with excess alcohol, driving while disqualified, having no insurance and possessing cannabis.

Prosecutor Ed Connell said the crash happened in London Road, Stone, at 9.50am on January 4.

"It was only four or five pints..." - Gediminas Bartkevicius

A bumper came off Bartkevicius’ car and a wheel on the ambulance was left out of alignment. There were no injuries.

After he gave a false name, checks were made by police. Officers suspected he had been drinking and he failed a roadside breath-test.

Bartkevicius declared: “It was only four or five pints.” He added that the road was wet and he skidded.

His fingerprints revealed his true identity. He had a small amount of cannabis on him.

Bartkevicius was fined and banned for a year in September last year for drink-driving.

Alison Pryor, defending, said he had drunk alcohol the night before. He was motivated to continue driving by his desire to continue working.

“It is difficult to get work without transport,” she said. “He earned a comfortable living and made a contribution to society. He got his priorities wrong.”

Judge David Griffith-Jones QC said it was plain Bartkevicius had obtained a false driving licence in Lithuania so that he could continue to drive under an assumed name.

“The only mitigation is your guilty pleas,” he said. “Plainly, for the majority of the offences, you had no alternative.

“Your behaviour was calculated and it demands an immediate sentence of imprisonment. Nothing less will do.”

Bartkevicius was fined £250 for driving without insurance. Time spent in custody since February 20 will count towards the prison sentence.