Drink-driver caused chaos after refusing to pay £7.50 to get home in a taxi

Declan Muers had been drinking in a nightclub before he got behind the wheel and ran five red lights in Nottingham city centre

A motorist who was under the influence and ran five red lights before crashing into two parked cars has avoided a prison sentence after stating he didn't want to pay £7.50 for a taxi fare.

Declan Muers, 27, had been drinking at a nightclub but left in anger in the early hours and chose to drive the two miles home.

Police dashcam footage captured Muers speeding through Nottingham city centre around 4am on February 18.

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A police patrol car noticed him driving erratically on Maid Marian Way and trailed him as he ran five red lights.

Muers continued his reckless driving through the city until he lost control of his blue Volkswagen Scirocco and collided with two parked cars on Hungerhill Road.

The offender attempted to escape on foot but was apprehended by officers a short distance away.

A breathalyser test revealed he had 49 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the legal limit of 35mcg.

Muers was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre for a head injury before being arrested and taken into custody.

He admitted to dangerous driving, failing to stop when instructed by a police constable and drink-driving.

Muers, from Mapperley, received a 16-month sentence, suspended for two years at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday (7/10).

He was also disqualified from driving for two years, given a four-month curfew and ordered to complete 10 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days.

PC Fraser Heaton of Nottinghamshire Police remarked: "Muers showed a clear disregard for the safety of others by driving dangerously through a city centre in poor weather conditions."

"He was in no fit state to be behind the wheel of a car and it is fortunate he didn't cause harm to another road user or pedestrian."

"He was also extremely lucky not to have sustained a more serious injury himself after losing control and crashing into two parked vehicles."

"During his police interview, he told us he'd been drinking in a nightclub and left after becoming angry about something that had happened."

"He should have got a taxi home but seemingly didn't want to pay a fare."

"Now he's paid a heftier price in court with the loss of his driver's licence."