A drink-driver who was banned from the wheel when he crashed, injuring two people, has been jailed for just 18 months.

Pictures of the crash were released to the Press by a judge as a stark warning after a harrowing court case.

Gareth McGee, also known as Strudwick, was banned from driving and almost two times over the limit when he got behind the wheel of his Ford Escort on March 3.

He jumped a red light, clipped an oncoming car, crashed into a lamp post and rolled his vehicle. His girlfriend was flung through the windscreen.

The car did not have rear seatbelts.

McGee, 22, of Old Shoreham Road, Lancing, left her and another pal lying in the road as he staggered away, wearing only one shoe.

When police tracked him down he told them: "I was the driver. I was p****d. I'm disqualified too. You might as well know that because you'll find out soon enough."

Judge Anthony Thorpe was so shocked by the case he took the rare step of requesting the media show the graphic images saying: "It is amazing anyone came out alive."

But the judge told Chichester Crown Court he was only able to sentence McGee, who had been banned 12 months earlier for drink-driving, to 18 months in prison.

Safety campaigners condemned the leniency of the jail term, saying he should be locked up for at least five years and banned from driving for life.

The crash happened on the A27 at Sompting, near Worthing.

McGee had been out drinking and was driving to another pub when he jumped the red light.

His then girlfriend Leigh Mitchell was hurled through the windscreen as the car veered across the road after hitting a Peugeot 203.

She lay helpless in the road, conscious but with severe bruising and whiplash.

His friend Rob Lynch escaped with minor injuries.

McGee, who admitted dangerous driving, driving with excess alcohol and driving while disqualified, was told by the judge yesterday: "The way you jumped that red light and caused that serious crash was an appalling piece of driving.

"It is only by the grace of God that you did not kill that young girl who was your passenger as well as the other people involved.

"You are very fortunate not to be before the court for very much more serious offences."

Judge Thorpe said he was limited by the maximum sentence of two years. He shortened the term by six months because of McGee's guilty plea. He was also banned from driving for four years.

Jay Calascione, a member of pressure group Roadpeace, said the short jail sentence sent out the wrong message.

She said: "These people know they are breaking the law and we feel it should be dealt with much, much more strongly.

"Driving while disqualified should carry an 18-month jail sentence alone. When you add the fact he was drinking, he should be facing a minimum of five years. Sentences in many cases are too lenient."

Mrs Calascione also criticised the fact that McGee's driving ban would run while he was in jail and said it should be for life.

Stephen Vullo, defending, told the court that McGee had also seen the photographs.

He added: "He is so shocked by them that he has said that he does not want to drive again."

He said that after he is released from prison McGee would be returning to his £360-a-week job with a block paving company.

Judge Thorpe concluded: "You have posed and continue to pose a very serious danger to other road users by your dreadful driving and unwillingness to obey court orders."