A JOYRIDER took three of his pals for a spin in his landlord's car and crashed into a tree, a court heard.

Jake Harris, 24, injured passenger Molly McQuillan after he took her and two male friends for the ride in the Volvo.

Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard Harris, of Heath Road, Rowhedge, did not have a driving licence.

He knew where his landlord kept the car keys and took the vehicle without asking him, on July 11 this year.

Bob Rowlingson, prosecuting, said: “At one stage it was on the wrong side of the road and there was an oncoming vehicle that had to take evasive action to avoid being hit.

“The Volvo then mounted the kerb on to the pavement, went back into the road again, then mounted the pavement and then crashed into a tree.”

Harris and two of the passengers ran off, but Ms McQuillan, 18, who suffered slight injuries, remained at the scene and spoke to the motorist who had swerved.

Police were called and Harris was located and treated in hospital for a chest injury.

A breath test, carried out five hours later, found he was just below the drink-drive limit.

Ita Farrelly, mitigating, said Harris was employed by his landlord, who had written a letter to say he had forgiven him for what happened. She said: “Harris had split up with his partner, they had lost their baby and he got into bad company and went off the rails.”

Harris admitted aggravated vehicle taking and driving without a licence.

He was ordered to attend the Probation Service’s Thinking Skills course and given a three-month curfew, from 7pm to 7am. He must pay £145 costs and will not be allowed to apply for a driving licence for a year.