A 47-year-old man has been banned from driving for 44 months after he was caught drink driving for the second time.

Kevin Liston, of Milling Close, Swindon pleaded guilty to driving while over the drink-drive limit on January 5 at Spine Road, Cirencester,

He was sentenced to a community order alongside the disqualification by Chippenham magistrates.

Joanne Wallis, prosecuting, told the court how at about 11pm on January 5 police received a call from a man whose car had just been hit by Liston's BMW in a glancing blow at a junction in South Cerney.

The man followed the car that failed to stop following the minor accident.

"The car was travelling at speed," Ms Wallis said.

"It was swerving all over the road, before it stopped outside the Spar store in South Cerney."

She explained that the man and his friends tried to stop Liston driving away but failed.

Later on police "saw a car driven out of the Four Pillars Hotel by the defendant," Ms Wallis said.

"They saw him swerving and signalled for him to stop, but he didn't, even when they illuminated their blue lights. Then the boot opened.

"The officers were not trained in pursuit and so they stopped."

Liston was later arrested at home, when he told officers that had been drinking at his address and had not drunk before driving.

This week he admitted his guilt, and accepted that he had a previous conviction for drink driving in March 2013.

The court heard he had 82mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal driving limit is 35mcg.

Representing himself, he told the chairman of the bench, Paul Fulham: "I've learnt my lesson.

"My partner died of cancer two years ago. I've not been dealing with things well. I am now actively involved in counselling and I've been going to AA meetings on Monday, Thursday and Fridays.

"I am getting as much help as I can. I'm working with my GP. It's not an excuse, but I've been finding things very very difficult.

"I am signed off work with stress. My house is being sold due to a bankruptcy order in January."

Mr Fulham asked that the probation service interview Liston and provide a short report to the court.

Neil Hewitt, Probation Service Officer, told the court that he recommended a short community order to deal with the concerns about alcohol use.

Liston was disqualified from driving for 44 months, and was sentenced to a nine-month community order with a requirement to engage with a probation worker for up to 10 days. He was also made subject to financial penalties totalling £885.