A LEIGH man who took a drugs overdose got into his car and crashed into a bus and a parked jeep and then reversed into the bus again as he drove away.

Then Michael Groves drove at speeds of up to 45mph with the front of the car smashed in, the front tyre pointing to the side and sparks shooting from the wheel rim, a court was told.

Throughout the drive Groves was followed by his friend Simon McIntyre, who had gone to his home to check on him following the break-up of a relationship.

But he was powerless to stop his friend as he took to the road and Groves eventually dumped his wrecked car in a dirt alley.

Yesterday Groves, aged 30, of Quebec Street, Leigh, appeared at Bolton Crown Court for sentence.

He had previously admitted dangerous driving, failing to stop after an accident and failing to report an accident.

Judge John Roberts sentenced him to a Community Punishment Order of 100 hours and a Community Rehabilitation Order of 12 months.

He also banned Groves from driving for two years and ordered him to sit an extended re-test to get his licence back. He also fined him £100 on each of the two failing to report offences.