Luke McDonagh was driving at ‘significant’ speed before the crash (Picture: Cavendish Press)

An unemployed dad who lost control of a £180,000 Ferrari and flipped it into a ditch has escaped jail with a fine, a court has heard.

Luke McDonagh, 25, was not insured to drive the rental Portofino MSA convertible during the crash near junction 10 on the M56 near Lymm, Cheshire, on March 14.

Before the crash McDonagh was asked to take over the wheel because the original driver became unwell following a trip from London, Warrington Magistrates Court heard.

He drove by a car at ‘significant’ speed, and swerved to avoid another before braking harshly.

Then he illegally undertook a third car driving in lane three before skidding across a wet area of the motorway and crashing into a ditch, tipping the Ferrari onto its side. 

He escaped injury and was able to walk away from the wreckage unscathed as passing motorists stopped to help his friend from the front passenger seat.

It emerged McDonagh was not insured to drive the rental vehicle as he was not covered under the terms of a trade policy taken out by a family friend’s motor trade business. 

He was seen later being driven away in a new Land Rover Defender which later got a parking ticket for being left on a double yellow line outside a courthouse.

He crashed into a ditch and tipped the Ferrari onto its side (Picture: Cavendish Press)

No one was injured in the crash including McDonagh (Picture: Luke McDonagh/Cavendish Press)

McDonagh has avoided jail (Picture: Luke McDonagh/Cavendish Press)

Prosecutor Andrew Madden said: ‘He was interviewed in relation to this matter. He gave “No comment” to all questions put to him.’

McDonagh has a previous conviction for driving whilst disqualified from January 2022. 

His lawyer Ceri Lewis said: ‘As regards driving without due care, his standard of driving did fall below that of a normal, careful and competent person. I ask that you deal with him as leniently as possible. 

‘I ask for penalty points as opposed to a disqualification. He is in receipt of benefits but he is hoping to get a job soon. As he is in receipt of benefits, I ask that you fine him appropriately.’

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JP Timothy Mullins told him: ‘Your driving was well below the standard we expect and there was excessive speed for the conditions.

‘There could have been a very, very nasty accident for yourself or others.’

McDonagh admitted to driving without due care and attention and having no insurance. In addition to the £120 fine, he was also banned from driving for six months.

McDonagh was also ordered to pay £168 in costs and a victim surcharge.

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He was seen by an eyewitness driving at ‘significant’ speed down the motorway.