A YOUNG man who crashed a stolen Mercedes into a car carrying a baby and its mother has narrowly avoided prison.

Jay Marshall was spotted driving the car through Hartlepool when he was spotted by police officers in October last year.

Teesside Crown Court heard how he attempted to speed away from them but was 'fishtailing' down the road and losing control, hitting a parked van before smashing into another Mercedes with the mother and baby.

He then tried to run away but was caught by police and arrested. A roadside test showed he was above the legal limit for driving with cocaine in his system.

Marshall, of Furness Street, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving under the influence, driving without a licence or insurance.

Martin Scarborough, mitigating, said his client understands that the accident was a result of his bad driving and knew the vehicle was stolen.

He added: "He panicked and drove off, making things worse for him."

Judge Howard Crowson sentenced Marshall to a two year community order with 35 rehabilitation activity requirement days and banned him from driving for two years. He said: "This is a little out of character for you, the car had been stolen the night before, and you were driving at the time the police came upon you. You drove away with speed and poor control because you never passed a test."