A man has been jailed for taking a BMW without consent and drink driving around Swindon.

Harpreet Singh, of Beechcroft Road in Swindon, was caught and arrested on Fleming Way in Swindon just before midnight on June 19.

Police officers on patrol had already been conducting a search of the area after they were alerted that a BMW had been taken.

Singh, who was found in the driver's seat of the BMW, "smelled strongly of alcohol" and was asked to do a roadside breath test.

Not only did the test come back positive, but further enquiries found that the 41-year-old had recently been disqualified from driving, and had taken the BMW 8 Series without the owner's consent and driven without insurance.

“Singh was in no fit state to be behind the wheel of a car and posed a risk to members of the public, having previously been disqualified from driving," said PC Luke Hobbs, of the Roads Policing Unit.

Appearing in Swindon Magistrates' Court on June 21, Singh pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified, taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent, drink driving and using a vehicle without insurance.

The Swindon man has now been jailed for 18 weeks and was ordered to pay a £154 surcharge and £85 prosecution costs.

"I am pleased a custodial sentence has now been given to Singh – it reflects the seriousness nature of his offending," added PC Hobbs.