DRINK-driver William Phee is today starting a 12-month prison term – after getting behind the wheel while over the limit twice in two days.

The former soldier was caught drink driving on March 17.

But a day later, he had been arrested again, this time after a chase in which he collided with a police car, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Phee, 52, of the Wheelwrights, Trimley St Mary, admitted dangerous driving and failing to provide a breath specimen on March 18 and was jailed for 12 months and banned from driving for five years.

Laura Kenyon, prosecuting, told the court that Phee had a drink-driving conviction in 2004 and had appeared in court on April 8 this year for driving with excess alcohol on March 17, where he was fined and banned from driving for three years.

She told the court that on March 18 at around 5.40pm two officers followed Phee’s car after seeing him driving along Trimley St Mary High Road.

They activated the blue flashing light on their marked police car after seeing Phee driving at 40-45mph in a 30mph speed limit and when he didn’t stop they turned on their siren.

Instead of stopping, Phee turned into Faulkeners Way and straddled the white lines in the centre of the road as he overtook three parked cars.

He pulled into a cul-de-sac and stopped his car but when the officers approached him he drove off and collided with the corner of the police car as he tried to drive round it.

Phee then drove into another cul-de-sac and attempted to run off but was chased and detained by the officers who noticed his eyes were bloodshot, his speech was slurred and his breath smelled of alcohol.

Phee was asked to provided a breath specimen but refused.

He told police that he had panicked and had tried to get away when he saw the police car, but did not think he had driven dangerously.

Craig Marchant, for Phee, said his client had been in the Army and had suffered from post traumatic stress disorder.

He had worked as a lorry driver after leaving the Army but had suffered more stress after someone committed suicide by jumping into the road in front of him.

Phee had also suffered further distress after his marriage broke up and his father had died.