A MAN who borrowed his brother's car without permission, crashed it into two parked cars and fled the scene appeared in court yesterday.

Jason Terence Lough admitted at Darlington Magistrates' Court taking the Citroen Xsara from his parents' house on March 10 and crashing it, damaging two cars, a wall, pillars and iron gates, before running off.

He also pleaded guilty to driving without insurance.

Lough, 33, of Wylam Avenue, Darlington, had 12 penalty points on his licence at the time of the offence, the court heard.

Graham Hunsley, in mitigation, said that the defendant had fled the scene in panic and had turned himself into the police the following day.

Lough was given a 12-month community order, with 150 hours' unpaid work, and ordered to pay compensation of £350 to cover insurance excesses and £34 costs.

He was also given six penalty points and banned from driving for 12 months.