John Taylor, formerly of Fontburn Crescent in Ashington, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, drink-driving, having no insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence following the incident on June 22.

The 35-year-old also pleaded guilty to an additional charge of being drunk and disorderly the day before.

Cuthbert Regan, prosecuting, told South East Northumberland Magistrates' Court that on the afternoon of June 22, Kevin Young had been shopping in Asda.

On returning to unload the shopping he left the door open with the keys in the ignition as he intended to go straight out again.

He also left the little boy in the rear of the car.

He then became aware that the sound of the vehicle had changed and ran outside shouting "my bairn is in the car" as he saw it being driven off, slowing down before moving off again.

Mr Young rang 999 then got into a friend's car to search the area and soon spotted the car in Sixth Avenue where he saw that the driver was no longer in the car.

Shortly after he was reunited with his son.

Mr Regan said that a witness heard a loud bang and went outside where he could hear a car engine running.

He saw a male driver and a child in the rear before the driver climbed over the seat and attempted to leave the scene.

He fell to the ground and was detained by the witness who then went to the aid of the child who was crying while the driver ran off.

Police and the north east air support unit were called and at 4.33pm a male fitting the description of the driver was seen lying in a garden in Alexandra Road.

Officers were informed and Taylor was arrested and taken to Blyth police station where he tested 126mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath, the legal limit being 35mg.

When Taylor was interviewed he became emotional and said he would not have taken the vehicle had he known a child was present.

He had been drinking since the early morning and had no memory of his actions.

Graham Crouth, defending, said Taylor is an alcoholic and does not recall the events of that day, but despite this he has accepted it was probably him.

"We have had to fill in the gaps for him," Mr Crouth said.

"He was nearly four times the legal limit.

"He had been walking through Ashington when he saw a car which unfortunately had its door open and keys in the ignition.

"He did not know there was a child in the car.

"I can't begin to imagine what the father thought when he saw the car disappear.

"I'm a parent myself and it must have been horrific.

"I've known Taylor for maybe 25 or 26 years.

"We grew up in the same area of Ashington and we were one year apart at school where he was subject to bullying.

"When our paths crossed again it was clear that he had a drug problem and was relying heavily on alcohol. These are deep rooted addiction problems.

"He would drink ten to 12 litres of cider a day. I can't even drink that much water.

"That's how bad his addiction happens to be."

Taylor was given a total of 16 weeks imprisonment and was disqualified from driving for three years and ordered to pay £300 compensation.