A BANNED driver told police he was "mortal drunk" while at the wheel of his girlfriend's car when pursued by a patrol car.

Colin Anthony Cleary stormed from his girlfriend's house following an argument in which he punched a hole in the living room door of her home in Peterlee, east Durham, late on December 4 last year.

Despite having drunk heavily and ignoring her protests, Cleary took the keys to her Citroen car, Durham Crown Court was told.

He was later seen driving haphazardly, at up to 80mph on the A1086 coast road in County Durham.

Ignoring the police car's flashing lights and siren, he drove towards Hartlepool, before he performed a u-turn on a roundabout, and headed back to the coast road.

David Crook, prosecuting, said the pursuit ended when he again attempted to turn around in Blackhall and almost hit the police vehicle.

Mr Crook said Cleary suggested to the patrol car driver: "Let's have another car chase."

He was arrested, despite a struggle, and police noticed self-inflicted cuts to his arms.

Cleary, whose speech was slurred, was unable to give a satisfactory breath test at the police station.

But, when interviewed, he admitted having been "mortal drunk" and said he "left the police for dust" during the pursuit.

Cleary, 24, of Eden Hill Road, Peterlee, admitted aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, criminal damage to the door, failing to provide a breath test and no insurance.

Peter Schofield, in mitigation, said Cleary was deeply ashamed of his actions, and that he was highly emotionally charged, suspecting his girlfriend was seeing someone else.

But he said they had resolved their differences and were now engaged.

Mr Schofield said Cleary, who works for a mailing company, was afraid of going to prison.

Jailing him for nine months, Judge Richard Lowden said it was lucky no one had been hit or killed.

He banned Cleary from driving for a further three years.