A BAREFOOT motorist was found standing by his car after it had crashed into several parked cars end then shunted another vehicle into a wall.

Blackburn magistrates heard Darren Russell Hancock had earlier run from his house and jumped in his car after paramedics said they were taking him t hospital immediately.

"This was not normal behaviour for this man," said Bill Rostron, defending.

Hancock, 59, of Manchester Road, Haslingden, pleaded guilty to driving while over the limit for cocaine and its metabolite and failing to stop after an accident.

He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 12 rehabilitation activity requirement and a curfew between 6pm and 6am for six months. He was banned for 28 months and ordered to pay £85 costs and £95 victim surcharge.

Ceejay Kok, prosecuting, said at about 10.30 pm police received a report that a BMW had collided with several parked cars on Broadway, Haslingden. The car had driven off but then collided with another vehicle.

Miss Kok said that when police arrived he was standing by the car. He provided a positive roadside alcohol test but at the police station there was a problem with the breathalyser machine.

"A blood sample tested positive for cocaine and its metabolite," she said.

Mr Rostron said a few days before the incident his client had been out to a social event and took cocaine.

"That is not something he usually does," said Mr Rostron.

He said his client had suffered a stroke and then discovered he needed insulin to combat diabetes.

"On the day of this incident, for some unknown reason, he had stayed in bed until the middle of the afternoon," said Mr Rostron.

"He had taken some insulin and there was a reaction. His wife called the NHS and was told to call an ambulance immediately."

He said paramedics examined Hancock and said they were taking him to hospital straight away.

"Something happened and the next thing his wife saw him running out of the house in his bare feet, jump into the car and drive off," said Mr Rostron. "The rest, as they say, is history."

Mr Rostron said all the car owners had been compensated through the insurance and his client had offered to rebuild the wall.

"The chances of him taking recreational drugs again are nil," said Mr Rostron.