Vodka-drinking driver jailed after police pursuit

A disqualified driver who was pursued by police after being caught drinking vodka behind the wheel of his van has been jailed.

Ivan Bowers, 56, of Parkhall Road, Somersham, was spotted quaffing the alcohol by a member of the public in the Cambridgeshire village at about 10:40 BST on 9 October.

Police arrived to find him asleep but he sped off, and a stinger device had to be deployed to stop the van.

Bowers admitted dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, failing to provide a specimen for analysis and driving without insurance. He was sentenced to one year and five months in jail by Peterborough Crown Court on Friday.

PC Alan Stanford, from Cambridgeshire Police, said: "Bowers' behaviour was completely irresponsible.

"Fortunately, he was stopped after a brief pursuit and nobody was injured due to his actions."

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