A BUILDING worker from Kingswinford who drove when he was drunk and hit another car near a roundabout has been jailed for six months and banned from the roads for three years.

Karl Wilkes, of Newfield Road, was nearly twice over the drink-driving limit when he was in a collision on September 24 near Morrisons on the outskirts of Redditch - Michael Conry, prosecuting, said at Worcester Crown Court.

He did not stop but drove over the roundabout and was eventually arrested two hours later on the M42.

A test showed he had 95mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath - the limit is 35.

Mr Conry said the driver of the other car, and his son, received minor head injuries in the crash.

Wilkes first claimed the other driver was responsible and then said he had panicked.

Wilkes, aged 26, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and driving with excess alcohol.

In addition to the prison sentence, he was also disqualified from driving for three years and must take an extended test before he has his licence back.

Sarah Hurd, for Wilkes, said he acknowledged it was a poor piece of driving when he was over the drink-drive limit.

This was aggravated by his failure to stop.

He had resorted to drinking when he left the RAF in 2009 but had voluntarily sought help.

Recorder Anthony Lowe said it must have been obvious to Wilkes that his driving was affected by drink and he could have been involved in a fatal accident.

He stressed he should take steps to cure his alcohol problem.