A DRUNKEN teenager who took his stepdad's car without permission and crashed into a concrete bollard after a police chase has been jailed.

Daniel Smith, 19, of Idstone Close, Blackburn, was also nearly twice over the drink drive limit at the time and had never held a licence.

Preston Crown Court also heard that he had nine previons convictions for taking a vehicle without consent, four convictions for aggravated vehicle taking, six of disqualified driving and two of driving with excess alcohol.

Smith was given thirty six weeks detention for his latest offences of aggravated vehicle taking, excess alcohol, disqualified driving and not having insurance.

The court heard he had "gone off the rails" following the death of his mother.

Following a recent period in custody his stepfather took him back into the family home.

Francis McEntee, prosecuting, said the teenager took his step dad's Audi A3 in the early hours of a morning in February.

It was spotted in the Roman Road and Stokes Brow areas of Blackburn.

While being followed by police, Smith accelerated at one stage to speeds of 70mph.

He had to brake heavily when turning into Fishmoor Drive and the vehicle momentarily took off as it went over speed bumps.

The defendant came to the Manxman Road junction and hit a concrete bollard. The car went about a hundred yards into a grassed area before stopping close by an electricity sub station.

When breath tested, Smith was found to be nearly twice over the drink drive limit.

He had sixty four previous offences on his record.

Adrian Williams, defending, said the current offences had been impulsive and opportunistic. The teenager had gone for a drive in order to buy a takeaway.

The police chase had been relatively short and Smith had clearly been in a state of some panic.

Mr Williams said: "It is extremely fortunate no injury was caused to any person, or the defendant himself. He recognises that.

"He is remorseful for what he has done. He is upset for his stepdad.

"There does appear to be some growing appreciation from the defendant of the risks involved and the effects of this type of behaviour. He has an appalling record and has been binge drinking since around fourteen years of age".

Smith was banned from driving for three years.

Judge Pamela Badley told him: "If indeed this is your way of dealing with your grief, then you are doing no service to your mother who undoubtedly would want a better life for you than you are giving yourself at this moment. "