A DANGEROUS driver from Winsford has avoided jail despite causing a crash on a motorway while more than three times over the limit.

Paul Taylor, of Wharton Road, fled the scene after his Volkswagen Polo collided with a Kia Ceed while driving along the M53 near Ellesmere Port on June 19 earlier this year.

Once he was pulled over, the 40-year-old was breathalysed and was found to have 108 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of his breath. The legal limit is 35.

Taylor was arrested and subsequently charged with dangerous driving on the M53 and Oil Sites Road, driving above the limit for alcohol and failing to stop after an accident.

He pleaded guilty to all charges on July 12 and returned to Chester Magistrates Court on August 9 for sentencing.

Taking his pleas into account, magistrates handed Taylor a 10-month jail term, suspended for two years.

The court heard a custodial sentence was necessary due to the serious nature of the offences, the 'appalling standard of driving' and the fact he was in drink and caused an accident.

Magistrates suspended the jail term due to time elapsed since his previous offending and the 'realistic prospect of rehabilitation'.

Taylor was also banned from driving for three years and ordered to complete a 19-day Thinking Skills programme.

He was also ordered to pay court costs of £85 and a surcharge of £187.