A BANNED driver who crashed into a moped causing the rider's head to smash through his windscreen avoided a jail sentence.

Father-to-be Robert Marsh, aged 25, of Phillips Avenue, Farnworth, admitted driving while disqualified and failing to report an accident at Bolton Magistrates' Court on Friday.

On October 11, Marsh pulled out of Phillips Avenue on to Long Causeway, where Joshua Forrest was riding his Yamaha moped.

Sandra Richardson, prosecuting, said: "The defendant pulled out into his path, causing a collision. Mr Forrest hit the front windscreen with his head causing the windscreen to smash."

Mr Forrest suffered whiplash and minor leg pains, she said.

Marsh had been banned in November, 2005, for driving while disqualified and had bought his Toyota Carina from his stepfather to fix up and sell on.

After the incident, Marsh got out of his car to check on Mr Forrest before saying he was going to get his documents and driving away.

The court heard the father-of-two, whose wife is expecting another child, had been rushing to his mother-in-law's house to pick up his four-year-old son who had been violently sick during the night.

Magistrates were told Marsh had suffered alcohol misuse problems and been unemployed for four-and-a-half years but had been offered work at Bolton Plastics.

Magistrate Terry Doherty said: "I realise you have personal problems but that poor chap on the moped could have been killed.

"Our sentences are going to reflect the seriousness of that incident."

He imposed a six-month suspended sentence, ordered Marsh to work 300 hours' community service and banned him from driving for three years.