A DRINK driver led police on a high-speed chase… in his underwear.

Scantily clad Karl Kidman “caused havoc” in an Audi as he sped away from police on the A27 at Falmer.

When the officers turned on blue lights, he ignored them and sped through Lewes.

He clocked speeds of nearly 60mph in a 30mph zone through the town.

But the nine-mile pursuit ended when he turned into Mill Brooks, a dead end in South Chailey.

Kidman then got out of the car in his boxer shorts.

It was revealed that the 27-year-old has never passed a driving test and only held a provisional learner’s licence.

At Brighton Crown Court Kidman was given a suspended prison sentence by Judge Shani Barnes.

Anna Dutka, prosecuting, said the chase happened on July 24 at 3.45am.

It started at the Falmer slip road on to the A27, where Kidman appeared “confused” as he eventually entered the road.

He went at 70mph through the 50mph zone at Kingston.

Ms Dutka said Kidman was then recorded at 59mph through the 30mph zone past Lewes Prison, before turning left into Nevill Road towards South Chailey.

Kidman was seen weaving across the carriageway, and reached 73mph in a 40mph zone.

Ms Dutka said: “An officer saw him getting out of the driver side of the vehicle, only wearing black boxer shorts. At the time of his arrest the officer thought he could smell intoxicating liquor.”

Kidman tested positive for 68 microgrammes (mcg) of alcohol per 100 millilitres (ml) of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg per 100ml.

He has 29 convictions for 49 previous offences, including robbery, battery, failing to comply with court orders, possessing an offensive weapon, and criminal damage.

Judge Barnes said: “This is a man who has shown himself to be perfectly willing to commit crimes.

Jay Shah, defending, said father-of-three Kidman, of Yarrow Road, Lewes, had turned a corner for not committing any crimes for ten months before this offence.

The judge said: “There is no reason for a young man on medication to drink himself to such a state that he decided to go semi-naked into a car and cause havoc on the road. He is lucky that no one was hurt.

“He is supposed to be a responsible father, but he has never passed a driving test. Did it not occur to him to stop driving?”

Kidman admitted drink driving, dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, and without insurance.

Mr Shah said Kidman does not want to follow his previous path, and said his behaviour has not been escalating, but was a one-off.

Judge Barnes imposed a one year suspended sentence and told Kidman to do 80 hours community service.