Ipswich: A drink-driver who stole a car while the owner’s back was turned and crashed it into a central reservation on the A14 is today awaiting sentence.

John Smith, who has never held a driving licence, weaved along the road at speeds in excess of 100mph in the Ford Focus he stole from Woodlands Way, on the West Meadows estate in Ipswich, the court heard.

Yesterday the 26-year-old pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking, driving while disqualified, drink-driving and having no insurance when he appeared at South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court.

The 26-year-old, from the West Meadows estate, jumped in the front seat and sped off just before 5.20am on Wednesday.

The owner, who had left the ignition running to defrost the car, reported the theft when she saw Smith drive off in the direction of the A14.

He was soon involved in a minor collision at Whitehouse which was witnessed by a lorry driver who alerted police.

Smith failed to stop when officers caught up with him, speeding along the westbound carriageway of the A14 until he finally collided with the central reservation and was arrested.

Smith, who was also banned from driving in 2003 and recently released following an 18 week jail sentence for burglary, was breathalysed and found to have 122 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit being 35 micrograms.

He was remanded in custody until a later date when he will be committed for sentence.

n The Star’s Name and Shame campaign aims to highlight motorists who get behind the wheel while over the legal alcohol limit.