A DRINK-driver led police on a high-speed chase when he took his mother's car for a spin.

Inner London Crown Court was told how Gareth Clark forced two cars to swerve and pedestrians to flee as he careered around Forest Hill in a Renault car on November 16 last year.

He was three times over the legal alcohol limit at the time.

Clark, who was described as being an alcoholic since he was 15 by his defence lawyer Harry Drummond, finally stopped and was found lying in a garage doorway by police.

Clark, aged 24, of Hennel Close, Dakers Road, Forest Hill, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, driving with excess alcohol, failing to stop and driving without insurance when he appeared before the court on January 25.

He was sentenced to 15 months in prison for dangerous driving.

Clark was also given four-month prison sentences for driving while disqualified and driving with excess alcohol, to run concurrently.

He also received a five-year driving ban.