A family watching TV in their home heard loud bangs and saw plaster fall off the walls, as a drink driver slammed his car into their home.

The terrifying crash was just one of the calamities caused by 62-year-old Alan Baker, as he took his Jeep Cherokee on a drink-befuddled drive around Maryport on January 13.

But the defendant was spared from an immediate jail term at Carlisle Crown Court, despite a judge blasting his behaviour that day as appalling.

Prosecutor Kim Whittlestone said Baker was found to be more than twice the legal drink-drive limit following his arrest. Witnesses first saw his jeep collide with parked vehicles in the John Street and Curzon Street at around 8pm.

Then in Lawson Street, he careered into the wall of an end-of-terrace house.

Describing the experience of the family inside, the barrister said: "They noticed that plaster started coming from the walls.

"They heard a screeching of tyres and smelled burning rubber."

Yet Baker drove on, slamming into railings on the same street.

As he tried to flee the scene on foot, resident Elizabeth Kett attempted to intervene.

Miss Whittlestone added: ""She, along with others, tried to detain the defendant. He punched her to the chest, causing bruising."

Baker later tried to wriggle out of responsibility by falsely claiming his car was stolen.

Brendan Burke, mitigating, said the defendant blames his behaviour on a change in his medication.

After his nightmare journey, he had no recollection, said the barrister.

In court, he entered guilty pleas to a host of charges: dangerous driving, drink-driving, two counts of failing to stop after an accident and assault.

Judge Peter Hughes QC suspended a 15-month jail term for two years after hearing about a decline in Baker's mental health.

Baker, of Main Road, Flimby, must complete rehabilitation and a 15-week curfew. He was given a three year driving ban, and must sit an extended retest.

"Your behaviour on the night of January 13 was absolutely appalling," said the judge.