A man who took a £40,000 BMW off the owner's drive abandoned it after crashing into a wall, a court has heard.

Blackburn Magistrates' Court was told how Dane Oliver was linked to the car by DNA taken from the air bag.

Oliver, 28, of Church Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to unauthorised vehicle taking aggravated by damage caused, and driving without a licence and insurance.

He was committed in custody to Burnley Crown Court to be sentenced on April 5 after the magistrates ruled their powers of punishment were not sufficient.

Bilal Saeed, prosecuting, said severe damage had been caused to the car and it had been written off by the insurance company, which valued the car at £40,000.

Mark Williams, offering mitigation, said his client had been out in the early hours trying car doors and looking for bits of change and other items.

"He tried this car door and it was open," said Mr Williams.

"The key fob had been left in the centre console and, for reasons he has difficulty explaining, he drove off in it."