A car with a drunk teenager at the wheel ploughed through the living room of a flat where a five-year-old child was sleeping nearby.

The vehicle demolished the wall and as the shocked tenant confronted driver George Britton he apologised.

But he then reversed the car and drove away, leaving behind the rubble.

Now a judge has told Britton, now 20, of Cecilia Road, Ramsgate that "by sheer good fortune, mercifully" no-one had been injured, seriously hurt or killed.

Judge James O’Mahony added: “I can see you are full of remorse but the facts of the case are as bad as can be.

"At the time you had no licence and you were drunk.”

Britton was jailed for six months after he admitted driving dangerously, and possessing an offensive weapon and banned from getting behind the wheel again for two years.

Canterbury Crown Court heard how in November he drove his girlfriend’s car without permission and with no licence or insurance.

Prosecutor Jean-Jack Chalmers said that Britton had been drinking before and tests later showed he was above the legal drive limit.

He said: “He was seen driving through Ramsgate in well in excess of the speed limit through a red traffic light and with no headlights on.”

As he saw another car going through on green, Britton "hit the brakes, lost control and ploughed through the wall".

"The car caused significant damaged to the lounge... there had been a five-year-child asleep in the next room" - Jean-Jack Chalmers

Mr Chalmers added: “The car caused significant damaged to the lounge.

"It was about 1am and the sleeping occupants were awoken. There had been a five-year-child asleep in the next room.

“The occupant came downstairs and found Britton with the car door open.

"He apologised and told the occupant he would just move the car.

"He then reversed and drove off.”

Britton was later arrested and police found a knuckleduster in the vehicle.

The prosecutor added that nearly £18,000 worth of damage was done to the room and personal possessions and the family had to stay in a holiday let for two weeks while repairs were made to the property in St Luke’s Court, Boundary Road, Ramsgate.

Guy Wyatt, defending, said Britton had written a personal letter to the victims apologising for the accident.