TWO DRUNKEN motorists went on a "horrendous" joyride on the busy M5 through the south of Gloucestershire – colliding with other vehicles and the central reservation before running out of petrol.

Linas Kavaliauskas, 20, of Barklays Hill, Bristol, and 25-year-old Airidas Povilaitis of Eden Grove, Bristol, were jailed by Judge Michael Cullum at Gloucester Crown Court last Friday.

Both defendants were jailed for a total of 15 months each and banned from driving for three years and 30 weeks.

Mary Cowe, prosecuting barrister, described what happened to the court: "The initial driver of a black Peugeot car was Kavaliauskas and it was on the northbound carriageway of the M5 at junctions 14 and 13, between Stroud and Thornbury, at around 4.30pm on August 8 last year.

"It was busy and the road was wet after some drizzle and it was dark. The Peugeot was seen driving right up behind cars flashing its headlights.

"One motorist heard a bang as the Peugeot drove into the back of his car and then drove close passed him snapping off his wing mirror. The Peugeot was spinning out of control and hit the central reservation.

"It then reversed up the carriageway turning across all the motorway lanes. It was horrendous driving and one motorist collided with the Peugeot's rear passenger door – his £1,000 Vauxhall Corsa was written off. The Peugeot's boot flew open and a bumper fell off.

"CCTV at Gloucester Services showed the car driven there with no lights on and Kavaliauskas swapping with Povilaitis.

"The vehicle drove off erratically, changing lanes and chasing other cars. It was swerving from the hard shoulder across other motorway lanes and hitting the central reservation. One motorist who had a baby in the car had to brake hard to avoid a collision.

"The car was stationary when police arrived at 5.12pm and Kavaliauskas got out with a can of lager in his hand – he was clearly drunk.

"Povilaitis was still in the car and he appeared to be asleep in the driver's seat.

"Both were breathalysed and Povilaitis was three-and-a-half times over the legal drink-drive limit while the co-defendant was over twice the limit."

Defending Kavaliauskas, solicitor Claire Buckley said: "He had consumed a huge amount of alcohol which affected his judgement.

"He normally would not have contemplated driving in such a manner."

Both defendants, who are Lithuanian, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving on November 8, last year.

Kavaliauskas also pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol, failing to stop after an accident, driving without a licence or insurance.

Defending Povilaitis, Adrian Roland said that his client fully accepted responsibility and owned up immediately.

"He is remorseful and relieved that the consequences of his dreadful driving were not worse," said the lawyer.

Said the judge: "To describe your driving as horrendous is a significant understatement.

"You were well over the drink-drive limit and showed a total disregard of the law."