A man described by a Hendon magistrate as having "the worst driving record I've ever seen" has been jailed for six months and banned from driving for ten years.

Irish-born Clive Caffrey, 23, of Greenacre Close, Northolt, who has 33 previous convictions, appeared at Hendon Magistrates Court charged with drink driving, assaulting a police officer and driving while disqualified with no car insurance on Tuesday.

The court heard how Caffrey, who has never held a driving licence, consumed three pints of lager and two spirits with his cousin on June 10 at 11.50pm.

His cousin then lent him his G-registration blue Vauxhall Nova to drive home.

Caffrey drove through a red traffic light and was followed by police officers for one and a half miles before being stopped on Edgware Road, Cricklewood.

He was breathalysed, arrested and taken to Colindale Police Station where he later became violent and attacked a police officer by grabbing his throat.

Defending Caffrey, Maria Masselis, told the court that Caffrey has a serious drink problem and had recently received counselling for that.

She added: "He [Caffrey] has no specific recollection of assaulting the officer but has accepted that [he did].

"He said there was a scuffle at the scene but when he's under the influence of alcohol violence is something which comes to the forefront of his behaviour."

Sentencing Caffrey, magistrate Clive Wiles said: "It's clear you have no regard for the law whatsoever and at 23 years old you have the worst driving record I've ever seen.

"I am sentencing you to six months in prison but it ought to be three years."