It was a far from Good Friday for Stephen Williams and others when he put lives in danger by driving the wrong way along a busy dual carriageway - after downing a bottle of vodka.

Only the actions of skilled AA driver Lee Cox prevented the 60-year-old former taxi driver causing a horrendous pile-up on the A249.

Mr Cox drove alongside the Ford Focus with his yellow lights on to warn other motorists as Williams continued on his way, oblivious to the chaos he was creating.

It came to an end when he veered off the road at Iwade and he was arrested.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Williams, of Mockett Court in Frederick Street, Sittingbourne, drank the bottle of vodka while visiting a friend on Good Friday - March 25 - this year.

He then set off in the early evening - driving over the Sheppey Crossing the wrong way.

Prosecutor Robert De Banzie said police received a flood of calls around 6.30pm from other shocked drivers who saw him.

Mr Cox provided the protective escort and kept up a running commentary with police to report what was happening.

After driving erratically for more than two miles with other vehicles swerving to avoid him, Williams, who is also a former HGV driver, did a u-turn to get back on the correct side of the road at Bobbing.

Police officers hit speeds of 70mph to catch up with the Focus and finally stopped him in Iwade.

Williams was jailed for 12 months after admitting dangerous driving and failing to provide a breath specimen. He was banned from driving for three years.

Craig Evans, defending, said Williams was working as a cabbie and on an airport run in 1995 when he suffered a head injury in an accident.

A tarpaulin blew off a lorry and he hit the central reservation while swerving to avoid it.

He now suffered from paranoid schizophrenia and post traumatic stress disorder with extreme anxiety.

“Alcohol is also a significant problem for him,” said Mr Evans. “He had taken a large amount of alcohol on the day in question.

“Due to mental health difficulties, his licence had been restricted. This conviction will see his licence revoked.”

Single Williams, who lives in supported accommodation, had an almost faultless driving record until the offences. He had sought help from health and social care provider Turning Point.

Mr Evans said of the offences: “This was an aberration in his life. While battling his demons he kept himself out of trouble. On this day it plainly went wrong.

“It is perhaps fortunate that injury or a collision didn’t follow. He needs to remain in the community to continue to receive support and keep him on the straight and narrow.

“He is petrified of prison. In reality, this is an incident he doesn’t remember. He doesn’t remember driving.”

Recorder Matthew McDonagh told Williams: “I am sure you appreciate it is sheer good fortune there was not a collision. The result would have been either serious injury or death.

“You didn’t react to other road users flashing their lights. Having turned off the road oblivious to everyone else, the police were able to stop you.

“It was quite clear to them you were drunk. You were not just unsteady and your eyes glazed, you’re flies were undone and you couldn’t stand up straight.”

The judge said Williams had worked hard for most of his life in his career in driving.

But he added: “It is clear you made the decision to drive in that highly intoxicated state at a high level of danger to yourself and other road users.

“This was a serious offence that could have had disastrous consequences.”

Williams will have to take an extended test should his licence be returned.