A TEENAGE driver's friend was badly hurt when he fell from the bonnet of his moving car into a main road during "boyish behaviour".

Apprentice electrician Blake Smithson was trying to get home for an 11pm curfew to meet the conditions of his insurance for the Ford Fiesta.

But the 19-year-old's mate attempted to delay him by lying on the front of the hatchback as he planned to leave the car park where friends had gathered in Northallerton, North Yorkshire.

Closed circuit television footage shows Smithson initially slowly pulling away, but one witness said he was doing between 35mph and 40mph by the time he joined the road.

After a few seconds, the prankster can be seen tumbling off the car and smashing his head on the ground.

Smithson doubled back and was helped by a student nurse - who thought the victim had suffered a seizure - until paramedics and police arrived.

Smithson was originally charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving, but pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, which was accepted by the the Crown.

It was said the friend would not help the prosecution, and barrister Shaun Dryden said: "It appears he may have thought it was partly his fault."

Teesside Crown Court heard that it was difficult to determine the extent of the injuries without medical records, but the friend was released from hospital within hours without any problems.

The drama happened at around 10.50pm on August 24 after Smithson left the Applegarth car park, behind Barkers Northallerton department store.

He repeatedly told his friend to get off the bonnet otherwise he would get hurt, and he needed to get home for the restrictions on his insurance "black box".

When he was questioned by police, the teenager was shown the CCTV footage and admitted moving into second gear and his driving had been "stupid".

He told officers: "I could have and should have got out and spoken to him. Sometimes I just don't think."

Judge Howard Crowson was given references and was told that Smithson's employers value him highly, and feel fortunate to have him as an apprentice.

Graham Silvester, mitigating, said: "Thankfully, the victim, if made a full recovery and was discharged from hospital the next day, and they have continued to be on good terms.

"As the criminal justice system should be, it has been a complete and utter ride of terror for this young man. Thankfully, his employers will be ok if he loses his driving licence."

Judge Crowson told Smithson, of Meadow Lane, Northallerton: "When this started out [with the more serious charge] you might have thought you would end up in prison with the loss of your apprenticeship.

"You needed to get home and one of your friends was just acting the fool, although he is not to blame. He, perhaps, found it amusing to lie across your bonnet, and you maybe thought by moving it would encourage him to get off.

"In hindsight, perhaps, you realise you should not have done it, and perhaps he realises in hindsight that he should not have either."

He added: "What I know about you is that this type of risky behaviour is completely outside your normal character.

"You are a valuable member of the community and you have a good job, an apprenticeship, but held by a company who say they find themselves fortunate to have you.

"There seems to be a very bright future. I hope so. The most important factor will be the loss of you driving licence."

Smithson was given a 12-month community order with 100 hours of unpaid community work, and was ordered to pay £500 towards prosecution costs. He was also disqualified from driving for 12 months.