Drunken Adam Love drove off in his BMW after being told off by his parents who had banned him from drinking in the house.

Love, 24, was spotted driving at speed by the police in Bushey on March 20 this year and when he was stopped after a high speed chase was abusive and kicked one of the officers, St Albans crown court heard yesterday (Tuesday).

The car mechanic, of Siskin Close, Bushey, appeared for sentence for dangerous driving, driving with excess alcohol and assaulting a police officer.

Prosecutor Robert Colover said when questioned by the police when he was sober, Love said he had downed four cans of lager and three bottles of beer.

Asked how drunk he was on a scale of one to ten he said eight or nine.

Love said he was appalled at his own behaviour.

"He drove around at 8.30 to 8.40 at night for a distance of between a mile and three miles and a large number of people were put at danger," said the prosecutor.

The court heard that on May 18 last year Love had been convicted of failing to stop.

Kate Barbour, defending, said Love had made a full admission and was remorseful. She said he had sought help to reduce his alcohol intake.

Ms Barbour said: "His parents had banned him from drinking in the house. He was drunk when they came home and he went out in his car."

But she said he was supported by parents who wanted to him to get help. He was a qualified mechanic who had worked since school, she said.

Recorder Philip Brook-Smith QC told him: "You drove in a fashion which was extremely dangerous. You were pursued by the police and you were driving at speeds exceeding 60 miles per hour in a built up area. It was an extremely foolhardy thing to do.

"This was an appalling incident exacerbated by your behaviour. You were abusive and kicked out."

He passed a 16 week jail sentence suspended for 18 months. He will carry out 200 hours unpaid work and be supervised for six months, attending a drink impaired driving programme. He must abide by an electronic curfew between 9pm and 5am for four months and pay £340 prosecution costs.

He was banned from driving for three years and must take an extended test before he gets his licence back.