A man who had been thrown out of a pub because of his drunken behaviour returned and did a ‘drive past’ in a fire engine.

Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard Stephen Glover had been dismissed from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service but still retained his keys to Colne fire station, from where he took the vehicle.

After the “bizarre” incident he returned the fire engine to the station and was not seen by police until two days later.

The court heard he had been banned from driving two weeks before the incident but police had not charged him with disqualified driving within the six months time limit.

Glover, 34, of Wheatley Close, Fence, pleaded guilty to taking a fire engine without consent.

He was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, with a 25-day rehabilitation activity requirement, 120 days alcohol abstinence monitoring and 80 hours unpaid work.

He was banned from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay £300 compensation to Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service for damage caused to the engine.

Deputy District Judge Jayne Bryan said it was clear Glover had substantial mitigation for acting in the bizarre way he did on the day.

“However, this was an emergency service vehicle and taking it out of the station as you did could have had serious consequences for members of the public,” said Deputy District Judge Bryan.

“It is clear you were disqualified and you were intoxicated which is why you were asked to leave the pub. There are no charges before the court relating to those facts.”

Nasima Patel, prosecuting, said the fire engine had been taken from the Colne station on July 30.

“It might have been required to respond to an emergency and the fact it wasn’t available, due to the defendant’s actions could have put people’s lives at risk,” said Miss Patel.

She said Glover had been asked to leave the Union Exchange in Colne town centre because of his drunken behaviour.

“He made a comment to the bouncer that he was going to get a fire engine and that is what he did,” said Miss Patel.

“As he drove past the pub he wound down the window and waved at the bouncer.”

Miss Patel said Glover had been banned for 12 months for drink driving on July 19.

David Lawson, mitigating, said his client had been living with the after-effects of serving in the Army for the last 10 years, following service in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Northern Ireland.

“He has experienced severe, traumatic events which resulted in post-traumatic stress disorder,” said Mr Lawson.

“That was not dealt with appropriately when he left the Army.”

He said Glover was on two years probation with the fire service and was nearing the end when a complaint was made against him and he was told he wouldn’t be taken on.

“He reacted by drinking which led to the drink driving conviction two weeks before this incident,” said Mr Lawson.

“He accepts he had been drinking on the night of this incident but was not as intoxicated as the bouncer seemed to think.”

Mr Lawson said Glover was now working with Healthier Heroes, the Burnley-based organisation for ex-service personnel, who were helping him deal with combat stress and alcohol issues.

“It was a bizarre set of events which was perhaps indicative of someone who wasn’t dealing with his personal demons as he is now,” said Mr Lawson.

“He is very fortunate he is not facing a charge of disqualified driving.”