A TEENAGER who borrowed his stepfather’s car to go for some cigarettes in the early hours ended up smashing straight into a garage shop.

Burnley magistrates heard how David Jon Beauchamp, 19, who cannot drive properly, has never had a lesson and was not insured, did not stop when he arrived at Eastern Avenue Service Station and crashed right through the window.

A shocked assistant at first thought the premises were being ram raided.

Beauchamp stayed around long enough to check she was not hurt and then ran off when she went for a pen to note the registration number.

He walked around before plucking up the courage to go home and face the music and when he got there police were already wanting to talk to him.

The hearing was told the defendant, who had a provisional licence, told officers either his foot slipped off the brake or he pressed the accelerator by mistake.

The cost of the escapade, both to the service station bosses and his stepfather was not yet known, but the garage shop had sustained “substantial damage”, the court heard The defendant, of Aylesbury Walk, Burnley, admitted failing to stop after an accident, driving without due care and attention, no insurance and no licence on November 20.

He was given a community order with 12 months supervision.

He also received eight points and must pay £100 compensation.

Andrew Robinson, prosecuting, told the court the assistant heard a loud crash and saw a bottle flying across the shop.

After fears it was a ram raid she realised it was an accident.

The defendant told her he would wait and when she went to get a pen and paper, she spotted him running away.

Mr Robinson said Beauchamp and the police arrived at his home at about the same time.

He was breath-tested but was found to be under the legal alcohol limit.

Nick Cassidy, defending, said Beauchamp did not know what came over him.

He had been at home, his parents had gone to bed and for some reason, which he was at a loss to explain, decided to drive a very short distance.

He said: “He is deeply sorry for what he’s done.

“I certainly hope he has learned his lesson. He assures me this is the last time we will see him before the courts.”