AN EARLY morning trip to buy a packet of cigarettes led to a high-speed crash which left four people injured.

A court heard Paul Wilkinson took a friend's car parked outside his house following a night out.

But Wilkinson could not explain how or why he had been driving at 60mph on the wrong side of the road in a 30mph zone.

Wilkinson, aged 25, of Moffat Close, Breightmet, appeared at Bolton Crown Court for sentence.

He had earlier admitted aggravated vehicle taking and driving with no insurance.

Judge Bruce Macmillan jailed him six months, banned him from driving for two years and ordered him to take an extended test to regain his licence.

Prosecutor Bab Sastry said the accident happened on Bury Road, Bolton, in June.

Wilkinson had been out with friends the night before and his pal had left his car outside Wilkinson's house.

While his friend was asleep Wilkinson and another friend took his car without permission to drive to a nearby garage to get some cigarettes.

On the way there Wilkinson had driven at 60mph along Bury Road, on the wrong side of the carriageway and hit another vehicle head-on.

The driver of the other car suffered a fractured leg and foot and three other people, including Wilkinson and his friend were also injured.

Alex Simmons, defending, said Wilkinson could offer no excuse for his appalling driving.

He could only remember reaching the brow of a rise and seeing a pedestrian crossing.

Judge Bruce Macmillan said he had to exercise his public duty and send him to jail for causing an accident which had injured four people.