AN EX-soldier turned alcoholic who took his wife's car and crashed whilst three times the limit has been jailed for 90 days.

Gerard Thomas Michael Preston, 57, who was shot in the head during service in Northern Ireland and lives on a war disability pension, had been given a suspended jail term just 11 days before.

He had been arrested in Rochdale Infirmary after taking an overdose following the breath test, Burnley magistrates heard.

Preston's wife, who he has repeatedly beaten up did not want him to go to prison. She had cancer and had mobility problems and felt she could not manage without him.

The defendant, of Market Street, Britannia, Bacup, admitted aggravated vehicle taking, no insurance, no licence and driving with excess alcohol on August 14.

Sentencing him, the bench told Preston the smash could have been serious and could have cost lives.

He was banned for three years. Sue Campbell, prosecuting, told the court Preston drove the car to Rochdale and hit the back of another vehicle.

He gave a test showing 108 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 mililitres of breath - the legal limit is 35.

Keith Pilkington, defending, said police had thought Preston's behaviour was abnormal, said they would not arrest him and made sure he went to hospital. The defendant had suffered a fractured rib.