A father-of-three who led police on a seven-minute chase through a small village while high on cocaine has avoided jail.

Kenny Morphet was spotted driving a Ford Transit van at speed on Knotts Lane in Colne at around 12.40am on April 20 last year.

Police began to follow the 27-year-old, and carried out some checks, which revealed the vehicle was registered to an address in Barrowford.

Burnley Crown Court heard that on expecting the driver to head in that direction, the police continued to follow the van, but instead, were led on a chase through Nelson and then into the village of Trawden.

CCTV played in court showed how Morphet, who also had a passenger in the van with him, led police along Southfield Lane, Delves Lane and Burnley Road at speeds of up to 70mph, before a stinger was deployed and the van was decamped on Byron Road.

Prosecuting, Stephen Parker said: “His passenger was left to run off and police detained Morphet at the scene.

“He was clearly under the influence of something and when asked why he had driven off he said ‘cos I thought I was p***ed’.

“He was then asked if he had taken any cocaine and he said ‘yes I had a bag an hour ago’.

“He was arrested and taken to the police station and charged with dangerous driving and driving under the influence of drugs.”

Defending Morphet, Tom Worsfold said his client was of previous good character and was disappointed to find himself in the crown court for the first time.

He said: “He had an argument with his partner and had gone drinking and taking cocaine with his friend but had then decided to drive.

“He describes what he did as a stupid decision and pleaded guilty to the offences at the earliest opportunity.

“He has a young child who has been very unwell in hospital, which has had an impact on his relationship.

“He also has two other young children and is a low risk of re-offending.”

Judge Sara Dodd said that Morphet has been well aware the police were following him and that the offences crossed the custody threshold.

However, she chose to spare Morphet, of Helmsdale Road in Nelson, a spell in jail after he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and driving under the influence, and handed him a nine month sentence suspended for 12 months.

He was also ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work and 30 rehabilitation activity days, and was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

There was no separate sentence handed down for the drug driving matters.