A DRINK driver who sparked a police pursuit up a steep Lake District road during Storm Desmond has been sent to prison.

Robert Edward Blenkharn, 29, left an officer trailing in his wake as he ploughed through surface water on The Struggle, above Ambleside, during the early hours of 5th December.

After overturning his Vauxhall Corsa, which crashed into a stone wall, Blenkharn was found to be just over twice the legal drink-drive limit.

Carlisle Crown Court heard it was the second time within five weeks he had failed to stop for police.

In early November he forced pedestrians to jump away from his speeding Volkswagen Caddy van in South Lakeland.

One couple had to scoop up their dog to prevent it being run over. Blenkharn later pleaded guilty to two counts of dangerous driving, one excess alcohol charge and two other motoring matters.

He was sentenced at the crown court on Friday by Recorder Michael Duck QC.

The judge told Blenkharn he "put in peril not only your own life but those of other people who were out on the streets".

Blenkharn, now of Ings, Kendal, but previously of Heights, near Appleby, was jailed for a total of 10 months.

He was given an 18-month driving ban and, for the excess alcohol offence, was fined £300.