Faisal Abbas Gul (19), of Wake Road, Eastgate, Peterborough, crashed the Porsche 911 Carrera on May 31 this year, after pulling away from traffic lights too quickly.

Peterborough Magistrates' Court heard how Gul's brother had rented the £80,000 sports car.

Despite not having a driving licence, permission or insurance to drive the car, Gul picked up the keys from his brother's room and went for a drive.

Anthea Harris, prosecuting, said: "He needed to collect his younger sister, and wanted to drive the Porsche, so he just took the keys while his brother was asleep."

While he was driving the car, Gul came up behind a Yamaha motorbike waiting at a set of traffic lights.

Mrs Harris said: "The motorcyclist was waiting at the red light, when he heard a bang. His handlebars crossed, and he fell to the floor, badly spraining his ankle.

"He then heard the sound of the engine starting up before seeing a silver Porsche 911 drive off."

A police search later found the car in Eastfield Road, Peterborough, with damage to the front and side panels.

When Gul was questioned by police, he admitted he had been in the accident, and had driven off without stopping.

Mrs Harris told the court: "As the lights changed to green, he lifted his foot off the clutch, but he was wearing slippers and came off too fast.

"He wanted to apologise, as he had been involved in a car accident before, but he said he just panicked."

Gul appeared at the court yesterday charged with aggravated vehicle taking, failing to stop after an accident, driving without a licence and driving without insurance.

Mitigating, Oliver Barrett told the court. "He has pleaded guilty to the offences at the first opportunity, and accepts that this is a very serious matter.

"He admitted the offences to police and showed remorse in interviews."

District Judge Ken Sheraton sentenced Gul to four weeks in prison for taking the car, and four weeks for failing to stop after the accident, which was suspended for 18 months.

Gul was also banned from driving for a year, ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work, and told to pay costs of £75.

He was also told to pay the victim of the accident £150 for repairs to the motorbike.

No penalties were given for the licence and insurance offences.