A MAN described as being “usually very nice” took a car on a police chase after a drunken row at a barbecue.

Keith Carr’s partner left the barbecue in Seaham last month, taking their young children with her, after he began bickering with another man.

Durham Crown Court heard that he turned up at her mother’s home later in the evening wearing no shirt and a pair of bloodied shorts, containing a kitchen knife.

Following cross words, he left in a Renault car belonging to the woman’s daughter, which he had previously driven because he was considering buying the vehicle.

Andrew Finlay, prosecuting, said Carr made as if to drive into the house, only braking at the last second.

He then drove off and police were alerted, picking him up later near Seaham Harbour.

Carr gestured to the police officers and then drove away through residential areas of Seaham at speeds well above the 30-miles per hour limit.

At one stage, he forced his way past a car whose driver was trying to block his progress because of the way Carr was driving.

That vehicle was left a £6,000-write off and, the court was told, the driver was angry at Carr’s, “selfish and inconsiderate” actions.

Carr abandoned the Renault and was arrested after a chase and struggle, before giving a breath/alcohol reading more than double the limit for driving.

Mr Finlay said the mother of Carr’s partner was shocked at his behaviour as she previously thought he was “nice”.

Carr, 22, of Enfield Road, Seaham, admitted dangerous driving, driving with excess alcohol, and without insurance, plus being in possession of a knife in public.

Martin Scarborough, mitigating, presented a reference which spoke highly of Carr’s work capabilities as a production manager.

Despite his pleas to avoid jail, Judge Simon Hickey sent Carr to prison for 14 months and gave him a 19-month driving ban.