AN uninsured and unlicensed motorist wrote off his friend’s high value car, while over the drink-drive limit, having ignored instructions not to get behind the wheel.

Craig Bussay had previously driven the £32,000 Volkswagen Golf without permission and was expressly asked not to do so again by his friend’s mother, who allowed him to stay at her home.

But, Durham Crown Court heard that following a night drinking, Bussay returned to the house and took the car for a drive, late on December 15.

Phillip Morley, prosecuting, said it was spotted by police heading through Brandon, near Durham, shortly before 1am, on December 16.

The patrol car officers activated the siren and blue lights, as the Golf headed towards Brancepeth on the A690 at up to 80-miles per hour, in wet conditions.

Mr Morley said Bussay appeared under the influence of drink or drugs as the car veered over the central lines.

Leaving Brancepeth he again increased speed to 80-mph, until he reached Willington, where cut corners and at times drove in the wrong lane, before overtaking two vehicles ahead.

The police driver felt it unsafe to follow suit, so lost sight of the Golf.

But, Mr Morley said a short time later a crash was heard and the officers came across of the extensively damaged Golf facing them on the wrong side of the road, having collided with a wall.

Bussay was taken to hospital, where he gave a blood sample containing 203mg of alcohol, compared to the legal limit of 80mg.

When questioned he could give no explanation why he took the car, but confirmed he had been drinking earlier.

The court heard his friend’s mother, who felt her trust had been betrayed by Bussay, was left £7,000 out of pocket even after the insurance claim, while the wall owner had to pay a £100 insurance excess.

Bussay, of Alder Park, Brandon, admitted aggravated vehicle taking, driving with excess alcohol, with no insurance or licence.

Stephen Hamill, mitigating, said the 24-year-old bricklayer was ashamed he had let down his friend and his mother.

He said he could repay her if he was given a suspended sentence, to enable him to keep working.

Judge Simon Hickey said he was prepared to take the exceptional course of passing a suspended ten-month sentence for 18 months, purely so the car and wall owners are not left out of pocket.

Bussay, who must repay the £7,100 at £100 per week, was also banned from driving for three years.