A FATHER-of-two led police on a chase through residential roads in Cowley and Rose Hill after being spotted getting into his car after leaving a pub.

Sean Flaherty of Court Farm Road, Rose Hill, was almost three times over the alcohol limit when officers eventually arrested him on January 18 this year.

Julian Lynch, prosecuting, said police had to go more than 40mph on 20mph roads to keep up with the 37-year-old, with several other drivers having to swerve out of his way to avoid a collision.

ALSO READ: Teenage drug dealer claimed he was 'out jogging'

When the assistant site surveyor, who was out on licence for drug dealing at the time of the incident, got to Between Towns Road, Mr Lynch said he then tried to flee but was caught by officers.

Testing confirmed his blood alcohol reading was 91mg of alcohol, far exceeding the legal limit of 35g.

John Bryant, in mitigation, said Flaherty accepted his accepted his behaviour on that night but had been working to improve his life since leaving prison and was a volunteer at a local boxing centre, with two teenage children and a long-term partner he supported.

ALSO READ: Mum died of Halloween drug overdose day after being refused custody of children

Judge Ian Pringle condemned Flaherty's 'very, very poor driving' as he sentenced him to 10 months in prison for dangerous driving, suspended for two years.

He added he was not imposing a custodial sentence as he believed he would do 'more good' in the community than behind bars.

He was also given a £250 fine for being above the alcohol limit and ordered to pay £340 in court courts.

Flaherty will be disqualified from driving for two years and have to take an extended test before getting behind the wheel again.