Illegal driver took friend's BMW when he felt peckish after night out before hitting taxi and crashing into shop

The case was heard at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court in South Shields.

George Blair, 23, will be sentenced at crown court later this month after he pleaded guilty to four charges in relation to the 6am horror smash on Sunday, October 27.

A court heard Blair, of Dellfield Drive, Pennywell, also had neither a driving licence nor insurance when he lost control of the 69-plate blue BMW 420 on the A690 Durham Road.

Blair, who was almost twice the drink-drive limit, slammed into an oncoming Dacia driven by Alal Huda – before hitting metal railings and ramming into the Max’s shop.

South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court was told Mr Huda suffered leg breaks in three places and the store serious damage.

The court heard the accident happened because Blair became hungry after an evening out and took the vehicle of work colleague Liam Morrison, who had put him up for the night.

When Mr Morrison went to bed, Blair, who was staying downstairs, decided to go in search of a bite.

Prosecutor Paul Anderson said Blair was traveling south when he lost control, hitting the taxi head-on.

When questioned by police, Mr Anderson revealed Blair told them he took the car because he was “going to purchase some food”.

Paul McAlindon, defending, said: “It is accepted that this is a serious offence, all borne out of a stupid decision.

“The car belongs to a work colleague. Mr Blair is downstairs and not ready for bed and makes the decision that he wanted food. He jumps in the car.

“Unfortunately for Mr Blair and the other people involved, he collides with another vehicle and then with a store.

“Mr Blair is a young man still in his 20s, without any convictions and who works and is also the main carer for his father.

“The incident itself is one bad decision, it’s escalated from there. We have a serious offence in any event.

“He’s got himself into a position where he could face a custodial sentence.”

Factory worker Blair pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated vehicle taking, drink driving, driving other than in accordance with a licence, and having no insurance.

The court heard a breath test revealed he had 66 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Magistrates committed Blair to Newcastle Crown Court for sentencing on Wednesday, December 18.

They handed him an interim driving ban and granted unconditional bail.