A BANNED driver who had drunk numerous pints and shots tried to evade police while driving a Transit van towing a generator, a court has heard. Kevin Maguire was in a rage having received a text from his estranged wife saying he could not see his son the

A BANNED driver who had drunk numerous pints and shots tried to evade police while driving a Transit van towing a generator, a court has heard.

Kevin Maguire was in a rage having received a text from his estranged wife saying he could not see his son the following day, said defence barrister Heather Shimmen.

Maguire, 41, of Lygrave, Stevenage, was before Luton Crown Court on Friday to be sentenced for dangerous driving, failing to provide a specimen and driving while disqualified and without insurance. He had pleaded guilty to the charges before magistrates in December.

John Thompson, prosecuting, said that in the early hours of October 14 last year police received a tip off about an intoxicated man driving in Hitchin.

Officers saw the Transit van and trailer which ignored their request to stop. They followed it for 15 minutes, during which other motorists had to take evading action because of the erratic driving.

In Broadhall Way, Stevenage, a Stinger device was set up. At first the van stopped, but as police approached it sped off again, deflating all six tyres, said Mr Thompson.

Maguire refused to give a specimen of breath or blood, but said he had drunk "loads" - probably ten pints of beer and some shots. He said he could not remember the journey and he was in such a rage he would not have stopped for anyone.

Miss Shimmen said: "It is only recently that he has been willing to accept and talk about his significant drink problem. He had been too ashamed and proud to ask for help.

"His son is the most important thing in his life and that is an understatement and he was absolutely devastated by the text. But this is now a turning point in his life."

Recorder Peter Williamson said: "I regret that I have no alternative but to pass a custodial sentence. The dangerous driving was very bad."

Maguire was jailed for 10 months and banned from driving for five years.