A DRINK-DRIVER was chased by police at over 90mph through Hereford after he drove to a late-night garage for milk, Worcester Crown Court heard.

Victor Ferreira was spotted by police in his Ford Mondeo without lights in Belmont Road, Hereford.

He failed to stop when the officers flashed their lights and put on a siren, eventually racing out of sight.

They drove to his home in Broxash Drive, Hereford, after checking his address from his number plate. Shortly afterwards, he turned up on foot, said Peter Arnold, prosecuting.

A breath test showed a breath-alcohol reading of 63 compared with a legal limit of 35.

His car was found abandoned as the defendant was taken to the police station.

Ferreira, aged 28, had only got his licence back four months earlier after another conviction for drink-driving.

He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and driving with excess alcohol.

Sentencing him to three months jail with a three-year road ban, Judge David Matthews said he had been 'grossly irresponsible', putting the public and the pursuing officers at risk.

The short jail term should spell out to him that he should never drink and drive again.

Ferreira was seen with no lights on October 4 last year at 3.30am. He reached speeds of 80mph still without his lights, said Mr Rickarby.

When police lost him in Ross Road, Hereford, they were travelling at over 90mph.

Dele Alakija, defending, said Ferreira had taken taxis for a night out drinking but foolishly used his car to fetch milk.

He panicked when he saw police but never crossed white lines or caused other road users any problems.

Ferreira was married with a daughter. But his Polish wife often took the child abroad and he feared losing her, said Mr Alakija.

When they were away, he drank to drown his sorrows but now realised his stupidity.

Ferreira was scared that custody would end his marriage and leave him unemployed.