OUT-OF-CONTROL Laurence Douglas refused to let a motorway smash get in the way of his boozing session.

After hitting the drink, the 56-year-old sent his Ford Escort into a spin along Newcastle's Central Motorway before slamming into barriers, intentionally trying to flip his car.

Undeterred, and almost four times over the alcohol limit, the drink-driver put the car back in gear and made off to the pub.

Two whiskies later, Douglas, of Tebay Drive, Slatyford, Newcastle, was back in his car with the engine running before he was stopped by police.

He later told them he had been trying to flip his car after starting drinking at 6.30am.

But despite this, Douglas has been spared prison.

Now dangerous Douglas, who already held a conviction for drink-driving, has been banned from getting behind the wheel for five years.

After pleading guilty to a charge of drink-driving, he was sentenced at Newcastle Magistrates' Court on April 24.

The chairman of the magistrates told him: "We were shocked by the level of alcohol that was in your system at the time you were arrested.

"What makes this matter more serious is you have a previous drink-driving conviction, and that you were intentionally trying to flip your vehicle, which could have resulted in serious injury or harm to the public."

Prosecuting, Lynn Gray told the court a Mrs Elliot witnessed Douglas accelerating his car past the taxi she was in at 3.15pm on January 3.

"Mrs Elliot was travelling along the A167 when she saw a Ford Escort overtake," said Ms Gray.

"She saw the it spin and lose control and crash into the central reservation. It didn't stop, but just continued along the A167. From the taxi she was in she then saw it swerve from left to right on the carriageway and saw the bumper fall off," Ms Gray continued.

The court was told Douglas was seen to park his car by a nearby pub. Police were called and when they arrived they found Douglas getting into the Ford Escort with the engine running.

Ms Gray said: "A test found Mr Douglas had 123 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, with the legal limit being 35 micrograms.

"He admitted he has been driving the Escort at the time of the collision and drinking alcohol since 6.30am in the morning.

"He told police he crashed the car deliberately, trying to flip it following a family dispute. He also said he might have had one or two whiskies after the collision."

JPs told Douglas: "If you're caught driving your vehicle while disqualified, it's highly likely you'll end up in prison."

As well as the ban, Douglas was sentenced to a community order of supervision for 18 months and made to attend a drink-drivers' course.

The case comes amid our Road Respect campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the perils of all types of danger driving.

Jeremy Forsberg of the Northumbria Safer Roads Initiative said: "It is a relief that Laurence Douglas is going to be off the road for five years and not endangering everyone else.

"It is a miracle no-one was hurt in his escapades and he should really take the next five years to think about the sheer disregard he had for not only his life, but also the life of others.

"Drink-driving is dangerous and disrespectful. It is simply not worth the destruction that can be caused. It is a shameful act and we have a moral duty to ensure we prevent our friends and family from driving drunk.

"Should Douglas have hurt anyone he may have ended up in prison and would have had to live with that on his conscience for the rest of his life.

"Our Road Respect campaign is about keeping people alive on the roads. Respect the law, respect others on the road and have respect for life. The message is simple, don't drink and drive."

Roger Vincent, of pressure group RoSPA, said: "This man is lucky he has not gone to prison for this and that he has also not killed or seriously injured himself or someone else.

"It is an appalling piece of driving and shows again how drink can affect people."