A SEVERE argument with a passenger caused a young Gayton motorist to career off the road, Wirral magistrates were told by defence solicitor Quentin Neale.

Prosecutor Joanne Maxwell said the passenger at one stage claimed Thomas Charles Halton had deliberately driven into a tree, but the statement was later withdrawn. Halton, 20, of Cottage Drive East, Gayton, admitted driving carelessly and also while unfit to drive through drugs in Baskervyle Road, Gayton, in July last year.

Miss Maxwell said Halton and the passenger were trapped in the car after it hit the tree in a garden.

Emergency services freed them before they were taken to hospital.

A blood sample from Halton detected alcohol and MDMA and also traces of cannabis and cocaine.

Mr Neale said Halton had some drink and had taken cannabis but he had not taken cocaine or ecstasy deliberately.

Mr Neale said Halton had been driving for two weeks since passing his test and had a clean licence. He suffered serious injury in the crash and had spent a considerable time off work.

Magistrates called for a pre-sentence report and bailed Halton for four weeks.

An interim driving disqualification was imposed.