A DRINK-DRIVER from Alderley near Wotton-under-Edge was jailed over Christmas after speeding away from police at 120mph while more than twice the drink drive limit.

Alexander James, 39, spent the evening boozing with pals before someone made a rude comment about his mother and he decided to return to his £1.35 million home.

Police tailed him as he sped off the M4 near Bath just after midnight and he accelerated away along a darkened A road.

Officers were forced to abandon the chase because of his speed but used his number plate to trace the car to the converted Cotswolds mill he shares with his mum.

James emerged from an annex at the six-bedroom property in Alderley and claimed he had downed a bottle of wine at home.

But police found the tyres and engine still warm on his BMW and smelled alcohol on his breath.

They tested him and found he had 78mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The limit is 35.

James, who is not working, admitted drink-driving at Bristol Crown Court and was jailed for four months by Judge Martin Picton, who told him: "It is a hugely serious offence.

"You were drunk. You drove at up to 120mph trying to escape from police. It was a deliberate choice on your part to avoid detection."

Neil Treharne, prosecuting, said: "The BMW accelerated away at high speed. Police tried to pursue the vehicle.

"The BMW accelerated up to 120mph, using the middle of the road, and police were not able to pursue it at speed due to safety reasons."

Samuel Jones, defending, said James had downed four pints in a Bristol pub before someone made a "derisory comment" about him mum and he drove home.

Mr Jones said: "He saw police officers, he panicked and tried to drive away, which he was initially able to do.

"Police traced the registration mark back to his house."

He said James was on benefits, had at least £20,000 of debt, helped care for his 93-year-old grandmother who has dementia, and suffered from depression after his father passed away eight years ago.

James, of Hillesley Mill, Alderley, was also banned from driving for two years and ordered to pass an extended driving test before returning to the road.