A DRIVER who crashed his uncle's Ferrari had previously been smoking cannabis.

Bolton magistrates heard how Naeem Patel had borrowed his relative's supercar to attend a social event on November 24.

But as he was on his way to return the Ferrari Spider to his uncle the next day, he crashed into a lamppost on Beaumont Road, Bolton.

"It is safe to say he (the uncle) was not best pleased," said Shahid Ali, defending.

The court heard that police were called to Beaumont Road at just before 2pm on Saturday, November 25 after reports that a car had crashed near the Britannia Hotel.

Beth Pilling, prosecuting, said that the vehicle had suffered extensive damage along one side.

A group of men was standing nearby and, when approached by officers, Patel immediately identified himself as the driver.

"The officers noticed he smelled slightly of cannabis and his eyes were bloodshot," said Ms Pilling.

A roadside swab confirmed he had been using cannabis.

"I do smoke cannabis to relax me," Patel admitted to them.

Patel, aged 28, of Northwold Drive, Markland Hill, pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle with a proportion of a specified drug above the specified limit.

Mr Ali stressed Patel is of good character with no previous convictions and is remorseful.

"He is not one to mess about with the system. He accepts what he did," said Mr Ali.

He added that the defendant had only driven 1,000 yards when the accident happened and appealed to magistrates not to impose a lengthy driving ban.

"It is quite clear that a disqualification is going to create havoc with regard to his personal and family life," said Mr Ali.

He added that Patel was due to get married in the near future and his bride's family lives in southern England and, for work, he may have to rely on public transport to attend meetings.

Magistrates fined Patel £400 and banned him from driving for 12 months. He was also ordered to pay £85 towards prosecution costs and a £40 victim surcharge.