A banned driver who got behind the wheel of a car after downing 15 pints was stopped after police recognised his distinctive beard.

Lee Lee jumped into the rear passenger seat when he pulled the car over but officers were able to identify him as the driver due to his facial hair, Teesside Crown Court heard.

The 36-year-old had been banned from driving in December 2020 after he took police on a high-speed chase before eventually being brought to a halt.

Recorder Martin Rose told Lee that he was being given a final chance to keep himself out of prison after his latest round of offending.

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Passing a four-month custodial sentence suspended for 18 months, he said: “This really is your last chance, any breach will be reserved to this court. If you breach this sentence, you will come back to this court and this sentence will be activated.”

Annelise Haugstad, prosecuting, said the defendant was serving a suspended sentence for dangerous driving when he committed the latest offences.

She added: “The police passed the defendant driving in Thornaby and immediately recognised the defendant due to his distinctive beard. He turned and followed the vehicle after a check showed it had no insurance.

“There were two men in the vehicle, the defendant jumped into the rear of the motor vehicle as the officers approached and he was seated behind the passenger seat.

“Officers identified him immediately as the driver, he carried out a roadside breath test and was found to be positive.”

The defendant had 60mg of alcohol in his breath – almost twice the legal limit.

She added: “He said he had consumed 15 pints.”

Lee, of Harvington Chase, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol; driving whilst disqualified; and driving without insurance; following his arrest on June 14 this year.

Emma Williams, in mitigation, said her client pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and ‘naively’ drove his car following an argument with his partner.

Lee was also ordered to attend 25 rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) days and a Thinking Skills programme for his latest offending.

The judge also ordered that he attend a further 30 RAR days for breaching his suspended sentence and disqualified him from driving for a further two years.

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