A tearaway driver had a simple explanation for swerving over the road as he led police on a 29-mile high speed police chase.

“That’s because I was driving drinking my beer,” declared Kenny Songhurst.

Asked by an officer if that was wise, he responded: “You are allowed to have one beer.”

The 21-year-old, who had no licence, was also critical of the performance of the stolen Fiat 500 car he was driving.

“That piece of ---- barely does 100,” he said. “It’s pathetic.”

Songhurst, of High Street, Chatham, did, however, agree with a judge when she told him his driving was “very irresponsible behaviour”.

Jailing him for 16 months, Judge Adele Williams added: “A car can be a lethal weapon, and everyone has to bear that in mind.”

Maidstone Crown Court heard the car had been taken from outside the owner’s home in Institute Road, Chatham, on September 24 this year.

The next day, police officers spotted it in the Hoo area. It headed to Wainscott before Songhurst stopped and let out a passenger.

He then drove off at speed carrying out various dangerous manoeuvres, including speeding over roundabouts and through road works at 80mph, said prosecutor Keith Yardy.

Songhurst hit 100mph on the M2 in the chase, which also involved a police helicopter.

When finally stopped in Faversham, he claimed he was offered the car for £200, adding: “It was a brand new car, so I didn’t want to say no. I didn’t steal the car. I just had a big fat chase.”

Mr Yardy said Songhurst was found to have cannabis in his system but it was below the limit for new drug-driving laws.

He was bailed on the condition he did not drive in public places. But on October 16 he was seen behind the wheel of a Peugeot 206 on Manor Road, Chatham.

Police tried to stop him as he made off and collided with a VW Passat. He then drove on the wrong side of the road and over the central reservation.

“He drove into Fort Pitt Hill towards the grammar school which was emptying,” said Mr Yardy. “Drivers were collecting children. He got out and made off on foot.”

He was arrested and a small bag of cannabis was found in his pocket.

Songhurst, who has 10 previous court appearances for 20 offences, admitted two offences of dangerous driving, receiving the stolen car, having no licence and insurance and possessing cannabis.

He was banned from driving for three years and will have to take an extended test before he can drive legally.

John Fairhead, defending, told Judge Williams: “I could tell a sob story. He had problems with his family. He was homeless. He has ADHD and the like.

“I accept you will only give limited attention to those details. There was an element of panic in it, rather than malice.

“You are still only 21 but on those two occasions you behaved in a very irresponsible way indeed" Judge Adele Williams

“He has been in prison for two months. It is his first taste of prison, which is extremely unpleasant for him. He is not enjoying his time at Elmley.

“Of course, that is the purpose, but he is being picked on to a certain extent. It does mean he will not behave in this irresponsible manner in future.”

Judge Williams told Songhurst: “You are still only 21 but on those two occasions you behaved in a very irresponsible way indeed.

“You had no licence and that meant you were uninsured. If you had an accident, it meant if you had an accident everyone affected would have had problems getting any recompense.”

The judge added: “Resolve to put your life in order and not commit any further offences in future.”