A DRUNKEN motorist sparked a police chase after driving at 70mph while almost three times over the drink-drive limit.

Anthony Craggs, 24, turned without indicating and sped down 30mph limit streets that had cars on both sides to get away from police who had spotted him driving in Sunderland on April 6.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how he was caught after pulling into a cul-de-sac but claimed he had not been the driver.

Craggs, of Prestwick Road, Pennywell, later admitted being at the wheel and pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and drink driving.

The court heard how he has a string of motoring offences, including seven for taking without the owner's consent, but has had none in the past six years.

Jonathan Adkin, mitigating, said Craggs had been to the funeral of a friend and make the bad decision to drive home.

Craggs was sentenced to a year's community rehabilitation order, banned from driving for two years and was ordered to pay £414 costs.