A South Tyneside dad who took his girlfriend's car and crashed it head-on in Sunderland has been spared jail

South Tyneside Law Courts. Picture by FRANK REID.

Joss Heslop, 26, Bamburgh Grove, South Shields, made off in the black VW Golf just after 10pm on Tuesday, October 8, magistrates in South Tyneside heard.

But he smashed into a white Mini Countryman when he failed to fully overtake on Wear Street, Sunderland – then fled the scene.

Police soon caught up with jobless Heslop, who has two children with the woman, at his home and a breath test showed he was slightly over the drink-drive limit.

However, he was below the legal cut-off point by the time a regulation follow-up test was done at a police station, the court was told.

Magistrates handed Heslop a 12-week jail term, but suspended it for 12 months and banned him from driving for a year.

Prosecutor Lorna Rimmel said: “The defendant was involved in a road traffic accident.

“He has collided with another vehicle and it was reported that he was driving on the other side of the road at the time.”

Ms Rimmel said the driver of the other car was left with a sore hip and a laceration to his hip, and stiffness and soreness at the time.

She added: “Mr Bradbury attempts to speak to the defendant, who immediately ran off from the scene.

“It appears the police have come up on him shortly afterwards. He gives a reading of 40 microgrammes but after being taken to hospital, he is below the limit.

“He is interviewed and makes full admissions towards all offences. It’s his girlfriend’s vehicle and she confirms she hadn’t given permission for him to take it. This is 18 weeks in custody.”

Kevin Smallcombe, defending, said: “Mr Heslop did identify himself to police, albeit not at the scene.

“He suffered a significant injury to his head and was taken to hospital. Mercifully, the occupants of the other car didn’t have any lengthy injuries.”

Heslop pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, failing to stop after an accident, failing to report an accident, driving without a licence and not having insurance.

He must pay a £122 victim surcharge and £85 costs.