AN unlicensed driver, well over the legal limit, lost control of a friend’s car as he fished for a CD to play.

But Steven Bowes’ inattention put a family-of-four in fear of their lives as the Vauxhall Zafira headed at speed in the wrong lane towards their car.

Durham Crown Court was told Bowes made a last second attempt to avoid a collision, but the Zafira still ploughed into the driver’s side of the Kia, shunting it 75 yards across a footpath, before it came to rest on a grass verge.

Dan Cordey, prosecuting, said the driver was injured when the air bags activated, while smoke began emitting from the car’s engine.

The female driver and her partner, who was also injured, struggled to free terrified children, aged four and one, from the rear seats, fearing the car may burst into flames.

Mr Cordey said Bowes, who appeared worse the wear for alcohol, rocking on his feet, approached and asked if the occupants were “okay”.

The Kia driver told him she was not, as she suffered arm and chest injuries for which she required physiotherapy.

Her partner suffered leg injuries, which also required further treatment, and he lost £1,500 earnings as he was unable to work, as a result.

The Kia, which belonged to the driver’s father, was written-off, and, although insured, he had to make a £250 excess payment.

Bowes, who remained at the scene, on Tanfield Industrial Estate, near Stanley, gave a breath test reading two-and-a-half times the legal limit for driving.

He told police he “borrowed” a friend’s car to go to the doctor’s where he was receiving treatment for his alcohol problem.

Bowes said he believed he was “an average driver” even though he was unlicensed and had never had a lesson.

He later conceded he had been drinking up to 2.45am that day, September 6, seven-and-a-half hours before the collision.

The court was also told that he revealed he had been searching for a CD to play when he lost control of the car.

Bowes, 25, of Sycamore Terrace, Stanley, admitted aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving, plus driving with excess alcohol, without insurance or a licence.

Charlton Carr, mitigating, told the court: “It was a dreadful incident. The defendant is fully aware of that, but to his credit he did not flee the scene and stayed until police arrived.”

Mr Carr said the Bowes has learning difficulties and there were concerns as to his welfare if he was to be jailed.

Judge Robert Adams imposed a ten-month prison sentence, but said, due to the defendant’s “fragile mental state” and few previous convictions, could suspended it, for two years, during which he must undergo probation supervision.

It will include attending sessions to curb his alcohol difficulties.

Bowes was also banned from driving for two years.