A DRINK-DRIVER who stuck his middle finger up at pursuing police as he raced away from them has been spared jail.

Jake Wright, who has not passed a driving test was behind the wheel of his brother’s car and had stolen petrol when police tried to pull him over.

But the 22-year-old sped away in the 4x4 going through red lights and on the wrong side of the road, Swindon Crown Court was told.

Tessa Hingston, prosecuting, said the incident happened shortly before 2am on Saturday June 16.

She said an officer patrolling the A419 was aware of the Mercedes GLA being wanted and saw it heading north towards Cricklade at high speed.

It left the dual carriageway, going up the slip road at about 70mph, before braking hard and turning on to the Spine Road through the Cotswold Water Park.

She said it was travelling on the wrong side of the road doing 80mph in a 50mph section then on to the B4696.

"The driver threw something out of the window and stuck a middle finger up at me," one officer said.

Wright went through the village of Charlton at twice the 30mph limit and went though red lights after going over a stinger, which deflated the tyres.

When Wright was arrested hewas found to have 46mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, nearly three times the legal limit.

Wright, of Stapleford Way, Penhill, admitted dangerous driving, failing to stop, no insurance, aggravated taking without consent, drink driving, driving without a licence and making off without payment.

Caroline Flint, defending, said that most of the driving was on country roads in the middle of the night, and he panicked when he saw the police.

Passing sentence Judge Robert Pawson said “

“I have heard this morning that whilst you were apparently panicking you stuck your middle finger up at officers pursuing you.

“It doesn’t seem like you were panicking: it seems like you didn’t give a monkey’s cuss.”

But he said because of his immaturity and lack of previous offending he could impose an 18 month community order and banned him from the road for two year and until he has passed an extended test.

Wright must do 200 hours of unpaid work, 20 days rehabilitation activity requirement, a three month curfew and pay a £1,500 fine. He is banned from driving for two years and until he passes an extended test.