A woman stole her friend’s car and sold it for drug money before stealing another vehicle and taking police on a chase through the streets of Blackburn while 14 times over the legal limit for cocaine.

Rebecca Garner was drinking at a friend’s house on January 17 last year, Preston Crown Court heard, when she and the owner of a Skoda car, Michael Booth, went to get cash from an ATM in order to buy more booze.

Prosecuting, Clare Thomas, said Mr Booth exited the car to take some money from the ATM and seconds later he saw the defendant driving away in his vehicle.

Ms Thomas said: “He phoned another friend who was back at the house who told him to come home.

“He arrived back at his property and shortly later the defendant came back and said the police had his car. She didn’t seem bothered by what had happened at all.

“Mr Booth had tools in his car worth around £1,000 and the car was worth around £750.”

It subsequently came to light the vehicle had been scrapped after Garner sold it for drug money.

Ms Thomas said almost three months later, at around 6am on April 3, Garner stole a car from a petrol station in King Street, Blackburn.

The owner had left his keys in the ignition while he went to get some cash out and seizing the opportunity, Garner got in and drove off.

Ms Thomas told the court: “He turned around and saw his car being driven away.

"He tried to grab the window but had to let go as he was scared he would be dragged under the vehicle.

“The police were called and an officer on patrol spotted the car in King Street driving towards Wainwright Way.”

Ms Thomas said Garner then went through a red light, turning into Wainwright Way at speed before turning down Canterbury Street.

As the officer activated her sirens and blue lights, Garner failed to stop the car and continued at speed into Great Bolton Street, “with no regard for other road users”.

Ms Thomas went on: “She continued along Bolton Road at around 40 or 50mph, overtaking vehicles before turning into Aqueduct Street and crashing with another car.

“She then continued into Hamilton Street and Hollin Bridge Street and then into Stancliffe Street and Spring Lane where she crashed and came to a stop.”

It was heard Garner then exited the vehicle and ran off, with the officer in pursuit.

When the officer eventually caught up with her, Garner became aggressive and punched her and grabbed at her hair.

Following a struggle, Garner broke free and ran off again only to be apprehended by other officers who had come to assist.

When tested for drugs on her arrest, she was found to be 14 times the legal limit for cocaine.

Garner, 28, has four previous convictions for eight offences, and pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated vehicle taking, drug driving, dangerous driving, and assault of an emergency worker.

Judge Andrew Jefferies KC said: “In January 2023 you drove off in a friend’s car and I can only assume that you sold that for drug money and that ultimately it made its way to the scrap merchant.

“When you were tested for drugs after the April 2023 incident you had 14 times the legal limit for cocaine in your blood system.

“It wasn’t a surprise to read that you have been spiralling in your use of cocaine and drink.”

Garner, of West View, Haslingden, was jailed for 20 months and banned from driving for three years and 10 months.

She must pass an extended retest if she wants to drive again.