A MOTORIST got behind the wheel drunk and smashed up three cars just hours after he was banned from the roads.

Judge David Woods said it was a miracle that no one was injured when David Curran drove on January 21.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how Curran, 26, was banned by magistrates in Sunderland for six months for motoring offences which took place on October 5.

But the court heard how just hours later, he got behind the wheel after a drinking binge.

Aisla McDonald, prosecuting, said Curran went in search of drink in his mother's car, but lost control as he drove along Fulwell Road, in Sunderland.

The court heard how the red Vauxhall Cavalier performed a u-turn in the road, before veering off and smashing into the side of an MG.

He then hit a Seat and Ford Ka.

The MG driver gave chase, and Curran eventually came to a stop, and was held until police arrived.

He was arrested and was found to be almost twice over the legal drink-drive limit. He admitted to police he had just been in court that day, when he was banned from driving.

Curran, of Browning Street, Easington, County Durham, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, driving with excess alcohol, and driving without insurance or a test certificate.

He was jailed for eight months.

The court heard how Curran had a string of motoring convictions and driving bans.

He was released from prison in April last year after he was sentenced to five-and-a-half years for robbery.

Nick Peacock, in mitigation, said: "He is utterly embarrassed by the way he had behaved."