A DRUNKEN driver beat his passenger over the head with a car jack after their vehicle suffered a puncture.

David Boyce, 45, had been drinking with two friends when he and Ryan Kane decided to drive to a supermarket at about 3am to buy more beer.

Boyce, who was later found to be more than two times the alcohol limit for driving, pulled over in a Banbury side street on March 27 after his car suffered a puncture.

Paul Harrison, prosecuting, told Oxford Crown Court yesterday: “Something happened at the roadside.

“Exactly what, we may never know, but in all events, Mr Kane seemed to be dealing with the puncture when he was struck quite a hard blow over his head with the car jack by the defendant.”

Boyce, of Red Poll Close, Banbury, drove off and was followed by police before pulling over in The Fairway.

He admitted charges of unlawful wounding, dangerous driving, driving without insurance, driving without a licence and drink-driving.

Clare Evans, defending, said her client had been “slapped or punched” by Mr Kane first. Judge Christopher Compston jailed Boyce for 16 months.