CHRISTMAS came early this year for the family of disqualified driver Dean Boniface, who magistrates warned could face jail when he was caught drink driving in October.

The 42-year-old house restorer pleaded guilty at Kennet Magistrates Court, in Devizes, last month to driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, failing to stop for a police officer and failing to provide a breath specimen for a drink drive analysis.

His partner of 18 years, Kerry Smith, said the family feared the worst when Boniface, of Waiblingen Way, Devizes, appeared before Chippenham magistrates for sentencing on Thursday.

But, to his family's relief, Boniface, who was disqualified from driving for three years in 2000, was spared a jail sentence. Instead, he was banned for driving for three years, given a 180-hour community punishment order and fined £200.

Miss Smith, 34, who has a three-year- old daughter with Boniface, said: "I'm hugely relieved. It would have been a pretty bleak Christmas otherwise. It was a very serious offence and we were all expecting the worst."

The court heard that Wpc Val Ashby spotted Boniface driving a white Transit van in Devizes town centre at 11.05pm on October 19.

Nicky Wootton, prosecuting, said the officer recognised the van belonged to the defendant, who she knew was banned from driving.

The Wpc followed the van and radioed in its registration to the control room, who confirmed Boniface was a disqualified driver.

Miss Wootton said the police officer switched on her patrol car's blue lights, indicating that the van should stop, but the driver ignored the signal.

The court heard that Boniface continued driving towards the Jump Farm roundabout before turning into Brickley Lane, with the police car in pursuit.

Boniface continued to ignore the flashing blue lights as he turned into Kingsley Road. The prosecutor said Boniface then stopped in Forty Acres Road where he leapt out of his van and started to run away.

Another police officer arrived at the scene and joined in the chase. Boniface was apprehended and taken into custody at Melksham police station.

The court heard that the officers claimed Boniface smelt strongly of alcohol and appeared unsteady on his feet. But at Melksham he refused to take a breath test.

Miss Wootton said: "At his interview with the police he said he was very sorry for the trouble he caused and he regretted his actions."

Matthew Drew, defending, said: "It was a very unhappy and stressful year for him. Kerry lost a baby in April and it was a difficult time for her and the family. This was a one-off.

"He is a hard-working man, who supports his family and child. He asked me to say he's really sorry. It was a stupid thing to do and it won't happen again."

The court heard how Boniface's friends and family made arrangements to drop him off and pick him up from work after he was disqualified.

Mr Drew said Boniface was working late at The Four Seasons pub, in

Devizes, on the day of the incident, and did not finish until 10pm. But his partner was unable to collect him because their daughter was asleep.

He drank two pints of beer and, because he needed his van the next day, decided to "chance it and drive home".

Mr Drew said Boniface failed to stop because he panicked. He told the court: "A custodial sentence would have a devastating effect on him and his family."

Chief magistrate Monica Johnson told Boniface: "You have shown remorse and we understand and are sympathetic that at the time you were going through a stressful time."

The court ordered Boniface to pay £50 compensation to Wpc Ashby who slipped and injured herself while in pursuit of him.