A BANNED drink-driver has been jailed for 18 months for the crash that left a friend unconscious and in intensive care.

Stephen David Hay's car crashed into a lamppost at 73mph in Boroughbridge Road, York, at about 2.20am on June 3, prosecutor Alan Mitcheson told York Crown Court.

The force of the collision catapulted Hay out of the car and trapped his passenger, Mark Moore, with injuries which included a punctured lung and eight broken ribs.

Hay, who was twice the legal alcohol limit, had been banned from driving for a previous drink-driving offence.

"It is hard to imagine a more irresponsible course of driving," said Judge John Swanson.

Hay, 25, of Watson Street, York, admitted dangerous driving, drink-driving, and driving without insurance and while disqualified.

He was jailed for 18 months, banned from driving for three years and ordered to take an extended driving test.

His barrister, John Dunning, said he had given up drinking and wanted nothing more to do with cars.

Updated: 10:29 Saturday, March 08, 2003