A BANNED motorist who crashed his brother’s car into a house while over the drink-drive limit will spend Christmas in jail.

Jamie Underwood, 20, fled after taking a bend too quickly and driving a BMW into the wall of a home in Manningtree High Street.

Underwood left the car where it was but was traced by police, who found him hiding under his bed.

Tests revealed he was one-and-a-half times the drink-drive limit.

Underwood, formerly of Harwich Road, Lawford, admitted drink-driving, taking a vehicle without consent and driving while disqualified.

He also admitted failing to stop after an accident and having no insurance.

The court heard he was already serving a 32-month ban for almost identical offences.

Natasha Nair, mitigating, said Underwood - now staying at Ipswich YMCA - took full responsibility for his actions.

Colchester magistrates said prison was the only option.

Jailing him for 12 weeks, they said Underwood had shown a “total disregard” for the law. He was also banned from driving for three years.