A FORMER soldier was yesterday jailed by a judge for an "appalling" drink-driving offence that could have ended in tragedy.

Alan Simonite was told that he could have killed himself and other motorists when he got behind the wheel after a drinking session before Christmas.

One driver had to swerve out of the way of Simonite's car to avoid a head-on collision as it sped towards him on the wrong side of the road.

Terrified motorist Mark Bowman later told police that he feared he would have been killed if he had chosen to swerve the other way.

Simonite, 34, finally crashed his Y-reg Vauxhall Vectra and had to be cut from the wreckage by firefighters and taken to hospital.

A blood test taken by doctors revealed he had 235mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood - almost three times the legal limit of 80mg.

Teesside Crown Court heard Simonite claimed he had drunk only five pints of strong lager at the Teal Arms, in Ingleby Barwick, on December 13.

The ex-squaddie said he had not planned to drive after drinking, but had received an upsetting phone call from his estranged wife.

Judge Les Spittle jailed Simonite from eight months and banned him for driving for three years. He told him: "You drove in an appalling manner."

Gillian Milton, prosecuting, told the court that Simonite left the pub and drove straight over a piece of grass into the fence of a nearby primary school.

A passer-by on his way to get a pizza, Michael Goldsworthy, ran over to the car and ordered Simonite to get out, but he drove off with the door open.

Ms Milton said the Vectra sped off along Lowfields Avenue, collided with street furniture and was heading for a collision with Mr Bowman's car.

Judge Spittle told Simonite: "It is quite clear that the amount of alcohol within your system rendered you totally incapable of being a safe driver.

"Had it not been for Mr Bowman's actions there would have been a head-on collision and either he, or you, or both, would not have lived to tell the tale.

"There was no need for you to drive, but you did. And even when you could have stopped, you continued and put the life of another road-user at risk.

"It is only by the greatest of good fortune that a fatal accident did not occur."

Simonite, of Hatchlands Park, Ingleby Barwick, admitted dangerous driving and driving with excess alcohol, and was ordered to take an extended test before being allowed back on the roads.

Mike Bosomworth, mitigating, told the court: "No one is more aware of the potential consequences than Mr Simonite.

"He is fortunate, and knows he is fortunate, not to have killed somebody else or, indeed, himself."

Mr Bosomworth pleaded with the judge to impose a suspended sentence because of his client's exemplary record and remorse