A JOYRIDER was high on cocaine when he killed a 12-year-old Bolton boy in a terrifying late-night motorway smash.

John Green, aged 22, stole his mother's car and drove Wesley Finney and two other young passengers on the M602, where he lost control of the vehicle and crashed it into a concrete wall.

Yesterday Green was jailed indefinitely when he appeared at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester.

He had previously admitted causing death by careless driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, failing to stop at the scene of an accident, failing to report an accident, taking a vehicle without consent and ance and wounding.

The court was told how Wesley was flung from the back of the Toyota Yaris after Green lost control and crashed.

He was then struck by two cars and died at the scene with injuries to his head, chest, abdomen and limbs.

Green, who fled the accident with blood pouring from his wounds, flagged down a passing car to take him to hospital while Wesley, who suffered from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, lay dying.

The youngster, from Farnworth, was supposed to be in bed at Abbey House care home in Trafalgar Road, Salford, at the time of his death.

An investigation was launched by Bolton Council which found that the boy was "appropriately cared for".

Green, of Delamere Avenue, Irlam O'th Heights, was made the order of a sentence for public protection after admitting motoring charges in connection with the crash, including causing death by careless driving, and also wounding a man who he stabbed while he was on bail for the crash.

Sentencing Green, Judge Adrian Lyon said: "The likelihood that you will satisfy anybody that you are not dangerous after two years and 132 days is remote.

"The likelihood is you will spend a considerable period in custody."

Richard Vardon, prosecuting, said Green took the Toyota Yaris from his mother on August 24, 2005 and was driving it along the M602 from Salford towards Manchester.

A girl, 17-year-old Natalie Lambert was in the front passenger seat, while Louis Cross, aged 17, sat in the back with Wesley.

Natalie and Louis later told police Green went to overtake a Vauxhall Astra.

Fearing a crash, Natalie grabbed the steering wheel to stop him.

But, the court heard, Green lost control of the car, which slammed into a concrete wall.

Mr Vardon said: "Wesley was not wearing a seatbelt and was thrown out of the vehicle through the rear, over the central reservation, landing in the eastbound carriageway."

The court heard how Wesley was then struck by two cars.

Green was treated at Hope Hospital, Salford, where blood tests revealed he had taken cocaine and diazepam.

Rick Holland, defending, said Green harboured remorse and regret.

He said: "It was not driving over a protracted period, not driving at an excessive speed.

"He did not realise that by taking cocaine the night before he was still unfit to drive.

"There is nothing I can say that can comfort that family as regards what happened."

After the sentencing, road safety charity Brake slammed the sentence.

Sergeant Wayne Brooks, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "Our thoughts today are with Wesley's family.

"This result will hopefully bring some comfort and closure for them."