AN IRATE driver got behind the wheel of a lorry, which was blocking a road, and drove it away, crashing into a parked car, a court was told.

Marc Hirst had driven into Seaside Lane, Easington Colliery, County Durham, to discover a lorry was obstructing the road, as its driver made a delivery to a shop.

Hirst jumped into the cab of the lorry and drove off. It crashed into a Vauxhall Astra car, pushing it into a wall, and causing a total of £3,500 damage.

Yesterday, Hirst, 27, of Dene Avenue, Easington, admitted aggravated vehicle taking, and attempting to pervert the course of justice following that incident in January.

He also admitted separate offences of wounding, using threatening words and behaviour, handling stolen goods and possession of a prohibited stungun, and five offences of obtaining property by deception.

Judge Peter Bowers sentenced Hirst to a total of three years and nine months imprisonment.

Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, said that in May last year, Hirst had an altercation with a man called Dennis Tapping and he then drove into Mr Tapping's car, trapping his leg. Mr Tapping suffered a broken leg.

Paul Cleasby, for Hirst, said he got into the lorry and drove it in a fit of temper and it was something he bitterly regretted. He could not believe he was such a loose cannon at that time in his life.

Hirst was not a man beyond hope. He had found work with an agency which he was due to start last night, said Mr Cleasby.