A DRINK driver caused mayhem for fellow motorists as he weaved in an out of traffic on the A1(M) in a works van, a court heard.

Stephen Bradwell was told to “collect his belongings” and go home after appearing drunk while working on a contract on Tyneside for a West Yorkshire elevator installation company.

Durham Crown Court heard this was against company rules and so he was told to take a train home, at 3pm on Friday January 9.

Jonathan Walker, prosecuting, said Bradwell told his foreman he was awaiting a lift, but half-an-hour later it was discovered the keys to the works van had gone and the vehicle was missing.

Bradwell was contacted by phone and told his boss, in abusive terms, he was driving home to West Yorkshire.

Mr Walker said motorists travelling southbound on the A1(M) between Washington and Chester-le-Street noticed it swerving across all three lanes onto the central reservation, before weaving back and undertaking on the hard shoulder.

The van was described as being driven aggressively at up to 90-miles per hour behind other vehicles, forcing them out of the way, before cutting across traffic onto the exit slip road, at Chester-le-Street.

It then immediately rejoined the southbound carriageway at the other side of the junction and erratically hit one vehicle, causing £2,000 worth of damage.

The female motorist, who was carrying several passengers, believed it was “extremely fortunate” there were not more serious consequences.

Mr Walker said when the van stopped on the hard shoulder, a concerned sales manager, who alerted police, pulled up to check on the driver, switching the engine off and removing the keys.

But he was met with an aggressive response and as police sirens were heard approaching Bradwell hit him.

Mr Walker said Bradwell was detained by other motorists who also pulled over onto the hard shoulder.

The injured man, thrown backwards onto a barrier, suffered facial and jaw injuries.

Bradwell was arrested and gave a breath sample alcohol reading of more than double the drink drive limit.

The 41-year-old, of Branwell Drive, Keighley, admitted aggravated vehicle taking, driving with excess alcohol and assault.

The court heard he has two previous drink driving convictions, but has taken steps to overcome his alcohol addiction.

Robert Mochrie, mitigating, said Bradwell forgot to take his alcohol suppressant medication with him when he went on the job on Tyneside, and, “succumbed to temptation”.

Jailing him for a year, Judge Simon Hickey described it as “a prolonged piece of bad driving”, while heavily under the influence of alcohol, potentially putting other road users' lives at risk.

He also banned Bradwell from driving for three years.