A DRUNKEN motorist who caused a pile-up after he drove while disqualified has been jailed for 10 months and banned from driving for life.

Lee Cadwallader was told by a judge that he regarded him as “a menace to anyone using the road, or indeed the footpath”.

Cadwallader, 26, who has just become a father, had been convicted of drink-driving three times and was disqualified for three years when he climbed behind the wheel.

Police gave chase through the streets of Maidstone and Cadwallader ended up smashing into a BMW car, which was sent hurtling into a Vauxhall Nova.

One of the drivers and two passengers had to be cut from the wreckage by the emergency services, but all escaped serious injury.

Judge David Croft, QC, told Cadwallader, of Wallis Avenue, Maidstone: “I have disqualified you for life because at the moment I regard you as a danger to everyone on the road.”

Maidstone Crown Court how police spotted Cadwallader pull out sharply in an Audi 80 and speed off during the late evening of October 17 last year. In the passenger seat was his uncle Keith Cadwallader.

Neville Willard, prosecuting, said the officers gave chase through the town centre as Cadwallader shot through a red traffic light. He increased his speed, causing a lorry to brake sharply to avoid an accident at a roundabout.

He ignored other red lights as he reached speeds of up to 70mph along Loose Road and Sutton Road. He overtook three cars and passed a traffic island on the wrong side of the road.

Mr Willard said Cadwallader sped onto rural roads before crashing broadside into the BMW at a junction. The impact spun the BMW through 360 degrees and then smashed into the Nova.

“The result of the crash is fairly graphically illustrated in a bundle of photographs,” said the prosecutor.”

The BMW driver had only had the £5,000 car, which was written off, a week. He was taken to hospital with cuts and bruising after being cut out of the wreckage.

The Nova driver managed to climb through his shattered windscreen, but two passengers had to be cut free. His car, worth about £500, was also a write-off.

Mr Willard said Cadwallader’s uncle was taken to hospital with suspected broken ribs.

When officers approached the Audi, Cadwallader was trying to swap seats with his uncle. Cadwallader smelled strongly of alcohol but he refused to take a breath test.