A DRIVER who crashed a car he had taken without permission has been given a suspended prison sentence by Bolton magistrates.

Ashley Williamson, aged 25, of Bardon Close, Halliwell, pleaded guilty to taking the Ford Focus on May 25, driving it without a licence or insurance and failing to stop or report an accident after colliding with another vehicle in Crompton Way.

Williamson was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months and banned from holding a driving licence for 18 months.

He was also ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work and pay £85 prosecution costs plus an £80 victim surcharge.