A REPEAT drink driver who prosecutors say has a “crass disregard” for road rules is behind bars today after being caught flouting the law twice in less than three weeks.

A REPEAT drink driver who prosecutors say has a “crass disregard” for road rules is behind bars today after being caught flouting the law twice in less than three weeks.

Ipswich man Jonathan Day will spend Christmas and New Year in jail after being locked up for six months after he drove while drunk and was caught driving while banned.

The 26-year-old was originally banned from getting behind the wheel in 2005 after being caught driving with excess alcohol but on November 14 police spotted him in his Ford Mondeo in London Road.

He was bailed to appear at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court to face charges of ignoring the driving ban but, on December 1, whilst still on bail, Day, of Shamrock Avenue, was again seen driving his car, this time in Heath Road.

He was asked to provide a roadside breath test, which was positive and 63 micrograms of alcohol were recorded in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 micrograms.

He told police he had three pints of beer but did not think he was over the limit.

Day, who lives with his partner and two young children, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol as well as two charges of disqualified driving and two charges of driving without insurance.

Gareth Davies, prosecuting, said: “He has an appalling driving record and a crass disregard for traffic regulations and court orders.

“He has half a dozen previous offences of driving whilst disqualified.”

Mark Holt, mitigating, said his client had not realised he was still banned from driving when he committed the November offence. He said the ban duration had expired from the 2005 offence and Day had not realised he had to pass an extended driving test before getting his licence back.

Mr Holt added: “A man who drinks and drives whilst disqualified so often clearly has issues which are not going to be addressed in a prison cell.”

Day was jailed for six months and banned from driving for three years. He was told he would still have to pass an extended driving test before getting his licence back.