A driver found behind the wheel of his car high on cocaine and ketamine was on bail at the time for a dangerous police chase.
Dane Rigby led officers on a prolonged 15 minute chase through the streets of St Helens after being illegally spotted in a pedestrianised zone for buses and taxis.
The 27-year-old raced away in his Mercedes, at 50mph in a 30mph zone, speeding through a red traffic light, travelling on the wrong side of the road, and taking a roundabout in the wrong direction.
Rigby narrowly avoided crashes with other cars, at around 4.30pm on December 4, 2018, and drugs bags were seen being flung out the window.
The one-time care worker stopped near Victoria Park, and ran from the car where he was chased by an officer, Liverpool Crown Court heard.
Rigby quickly gave up, and told the cop who arrested him: "I wasn't driving."
The car smelt strongly of cannabis, and while there was evidence of him taking the Class B drug, later tests proved negative.
Rigby, who gave "no comment" in interview later pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.
However just six months later, on June 22, a constable was on patrol in Wigan, just before 5am, when Rigby was again at the wheel, having just left an Italian restaurant's car park.
The officer noticed Rigby, who was with four other men, looked "intoxicated" and pursued the car with his siren on until it stopped.
All the occupants were under the influence of alcohol, prosecutor Rebecca Smith said, while Rigby's eyes were constricted and he looked "spaced out."
The newly qualified electrician was breathalysed and tested negative for alcohol, however tested positive for cocaine and ketamine, also known as horse tranquilliser.
Initially, Rigby, of Princess Avenue, St Helens, denied the offences, but then changed his plea and admitted two counts of drug driving.
Ian Morris, defending, said his client had worked in full-time employment since the age of 15 in the care work industry.
But the breakdown of a relationship had led to heavy social drinking and a conviction for affray in July 2017, which prompted his dismissal from work.
Mr Morris added: "It had a devastating effect on him.
"His mother worked in that area of work and they both enjoyed the benefit of caring for others and assisting people with special needs.
"He continued drinking and started taking drugs."
Mr Morris said Rigby was now working for his uncle's electrician business earning £1,000 a month.
Jailing him for 12 months, Judge Thomas Teague, QC, told Rigby: "You can't expect to take the mickey, which is what has been happening.
"You showed flagrant disregard for the rules of the road.
"You've run out of chances, unfortunately."
Ribgy was also disqualified from driving for two years and six months.
