A disqualified driver who was more than twice the drink-drive limit has been jailed for 31 weeks after a three-vehicle crash in Harlow.

Nison Rajeswaren, 23, of Fullwell Avenue, Ilford, was driving a black Mercedes A180 when the collision happened on London Road, Harlow, shortly before 6.30am on Friday 23 October. Officers from Essex Police's Roads Policing Unit attended and identified him as the driver.

Checks showed he was neither the registered keeper nor insured to drive the car. His provisional licence had expired, and he was disqualified from driving until October 2028. Police did not say whether anyone was injured.

Rajeswaren was arrested and charged with driving over the prescribed alcohol limit, driving without insurance and driving while disqualified. He appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court the following day, where he pleaded guilty to all three offences.

He was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison and disqualified for five years, with a further 73 days added to his existing ban. He was also subject to a suspended sentence at the time of the crash and was recalled to prison to complete it, bringing his total jail term to 31 weeks.

Inspector Emma Patterson, of the Roads Policing Unit, said Rajeswaren was already disqualified but chose to drive anyway, and was more than twice the drink-drive limit when the collision happened. She said his actions showed he posed a real and ongoing risk to other road users.

Police said officers are out across Essex every day looking for drivers who should not be on the roads. Anyone who believes someone is driving under the influence should call 999 if there is an immediate danger, or report it to Essex Police on 101 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.