A drink driver who swapped seats with a passenger during a high speed police chase has been jailed for eight months.

Eastern Daily Press: Ipswich Crown Court. Picture: SIMON PARKERIpswich Crown Court. Picture: SIMON PARKER (Image: Archant)

Jerry Salisbury, of Pier Terrace, Lowestoft, drove at speeds of up to nearly 90mph and had four passengers in his Vauxhall Zafira who weren't wearing seat belts.

The pursuit, which lasted around 15 minutes, was recorded on a police car's dash-cam, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Salisbury, 29, admitted dangerous driving on April 18, failing to provide a specimen for analysis and driving without insurance and a licence.

In addition to being jailed he was banned from driving for two years and four months and ordered to pay a £140 victim surcharge.

David Wilson, prosecuting, said a police officer – who tried to get Salisbury to stop by activating the blue flashing lights on his car – saw him jump a red traffic light and reach speeds in the high 80s along a dual carriageway between Gorleston and Great Yarmouth.

He had also driven at speed around a housing estate with tight bends before driving into the grounds of James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston.

During the chase, Salisbury was seen to change places with one of his passengers and when the Zafira eventually came to a stop outside the hospital officers could smell alcohol and noticed his eyes were glazed.

When asked about swapping seats with one of his passengers, Salisbury admitted he had done it because he had 'had a drink'.

He was abusive towards police officers and a roadside breath test showed he had 103 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

Mr Wilson said he was handcuffed and taken to a police station where he refused to provide a further breath specimen for analysis. He told officers he was addicted to alcohol and had consumed eight cans of beer and some whisky and coke on the day in question.

The court heard that the pursuit started after a police officer carrying out speed checks in Gorleston Road, Lowestoft, saw Salisbury driving at 51mph in a 30mph zone.

The court heard Salisbury had no previous convictions for driving offences.

At the time of the offences he was homeless and was living in his car after an acrimonious divorce and his mother dying.

Andrew Thompson, for Salisbury, asked the court to give his client one last chance.