A man who was arrested twice in five months for drink driving has been jailed.

Benjamin Appleton was more than double the legal limit when he was arrested in July last year while at the wheel of a Citroen Picasso in Rochester.

Appleton, of Chelmar Road, Chatham, failed to stop for police and was followed after it was spotted swerving dangerously through the Medway Towns.

The pursuit ender after a stringer device was put in place in Town Road, Cliffe Woods, and the tyres were punctured.

Appleton was tested and results showed he had 73 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

The 33-year-old was released pending further investigation but was arrested for a second time on November 9, at around 9.50pm after he collided with two cars in Railway Street, Gillingham.

He was behind the wheel of a Peugeot this time and tried to flee the scene on foot with a bottle of alcohol, before he was restrained by an off-duty police officer in Ingram Road.

'Appleton’s reckless and selfish behaviour could easily have had fatal consequences...'

He pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court to driving with excess alcohol, failing to provide a specimen when at the police station and failing to stop for police.

Appleton also admitted charges of dangerous and careless driving, driving while disqualified and without a licence or insurance and common assault.

On Friday was sentenced to 13 months imprisonment and disqualified from driving for three and a half years.

Investigating officer, PC Sophie Lawrie, said: "Appleton’s reckless and selfish behaviour could easily have had fatal consequences.

"His repeated offending demonstrates he has little concern for other road users, or regard for public safety, and his intoxicated state turned vehicles he was driving into lethal and deadly weapons.

"I’m pleased that the court has recognised the seriousness of these offences with a custodial sentence, and which will hopefully act as a reminder to motorists that there is simply never an excuse to drink and drive."

Read more: All the latest news from Medway