A DRINK-DRIVER who led police on a high speed car chase has been spared an immediate prison sentence after the judge read his "glowing references."

Former care home worker, David Bullivant, must have suffered "a bit of a brainstorm" to act so stupidly, Judge Colin Burn said at Bradford Crown Court today.

He told the 23-year-old he could have seriously injured someone in the five minute pursuit after he panicked when the police tried to stop his Ford Fiesta on Bridge Street, Keighley, at 2am on June 7.

Bullivant, of Station View, Skipton, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and driving while over the legal alcohol limit.

Prosecutor Philip Adams said the police saw the Fiesta parked at an angle across the pavement.

When challenged, Bullivant reversed and sped off, with two passengers in his car, past the police vehicle and through a crowd of people.

He crossed junctions at speed and on the wrong side of the road and went up to 50mph in a 30 zone, Mr Adams said.

He braked suddenly on Malsis Road, jumped out the car and fled across a park.

The police lost sight of Bullivant but he was arrested soon afterwards at his father's home and found to be 20 per cent over the drink-drive limit.

His barrister, Jayne Beckett, conceded his actions were "completely stupid," but handed in several "glowing references" and the court heard he had never been in trouble before.

Judge Burn sentenced Bullivant to four months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, and banned him from driving for 12 months.

He must be supervised by the probation service for 12 months and do 150 hours of unpaid work.