A MAN showing off his car to a friend let him have a try behind the wheel, only to be involved in a crash, a court heard.

Marcus Deeley, 23, of Dryden Close, Fareham, agreed to his friend driving his Ford Escort, thinking he was safe to do so in a car park on a Sunday.

However, police were called when the guest driver accidentally hit another vehicle in Market Close car park, Fareham, town magistrates were told by prosecutor Shirley Jaffers.

Deeley admitted three charges - aiding and abetting careless driving, permitting a driver to drive without insurance and driving not in accordance with his licence.

Seven penalty points were added to his driving licence by magistrates yesterday.

Deeley, a civil engineer, told the court he thought it was safe for his friend to briefly drive the car, off the roads and on a quiet Sunday. He said the car was only travelling at about 15 to 20mph when it hit a van.