A MOTORIST driving like 'a bat out of hell’ after receiving a distressing call from his step-daughter crashed into another car after weaving in and out of traffic at speed.

Jamie Turner lost control of the Ford Focus as he attempted to negotiate a corner before ploughing into another car, which had stopped to try and avoid an impending collision.

Turner’s car smashed into the car causing significant damage but rather than stay at the scene he restarted his car and drove away, Teesside Crown Court heard.

The defendant, of Hawthorn Walk, Hartlepool, was spotted weaving in and out of traffic while driving at up to 50 mph on the town's Wooler Road.

Jonathan Gittins, prosecuting, said the other driver and his young daughter suffered whiplash injuries as a result of the crash.

The 29-year-old pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, failing to stop after an accident, failing to report an accident and driving without insurance.

In mitigation, Stephen Constantine urged the judge to give his client a suspended sentence after keeping out of trouble for five years.

He said: "This was a piece of bad driving, particularly him overtaking to get to his daughter, who he perceived to be in trouble.

"It appears to be shortlived."

Judge Deborah Sherwin sentenced Turner to 12 months custody, suspended for two years, and give him a two year driving ban.

The judge accepted his explanation, adding: "Your response to that was wholly wrong and wholly stupid. You decided you would drive your partner's car in order to go and try and get her daughter.

"You drove like 'a bat out of hell' – weaving in and out of traffic for a shortlived amount of time before you lost control and smashed into another car driven by a man with his young daughter inside."