A Workington drink-driver who fled police at speed while town pubs were emptying has been given a suspended prison sentence and a lengthy ban.
Keiren Sanderson, 21, sped away along Washington Street, at 11.15pm on May 16, after he spotted police whose attention was drawn by people gathering around his white Vauxhall.
As Sanderson took off, his rear door — which was still open — struck a railing.
He then went through a red light on the wrong side of the road before his vehicle collided with a traffic bollard.
Police found the vehicle and eventually located Sanderson, “by pure chance”, Carlisle Crown Court was told, outside a Spar shop at around 1.15am.
He was arrested and found to be more than twice the legal alcohol limit having earlier gone out with his girlfriend before meeting up with pals.
Sanderson, of Brierydale, Salterbeck, admitted dangerous driving and drink-driving.
He was said have since demonstrated genuine insight and self-recrimination to a probation officer.
References were also provided in support of the hard-working and self-employed young plasterer.
As he passed sentence, Judge Nicholas Barker told Sanderson: “It was a very bad piece of driving, putting others at risk, and you were significantly intoxicated.”
An eight-month jail term was suspended for 18 months in view of the mitigation advanced.
Sanderson must complete a two-month electronically monitored curfew, 120 hours’ unpaid work, a 20-month driving ban and an extended retest.
He was also given 24 attendance centre requirement hours to address what the judge called flawed thinking that night.
“You can consider yourself fortunate. Driving in this way can cause serious harm to others,” added Judge Barker
