A BANNED drink driver who helped himself to a pizza delivery van lied and gave his brother's name after police arrested him.

Burnley Magistrates heard how Joseph Dean Ormonde, 18, had stolen the vehicle from a Burnley street after the owner left the keys in as he dropped off an order.

Ormonde, who had been ordered off the road for 16 months in April, after an earlier excess alcohol offence, kept his freedom even though the bench said they had seriously considered sending him to prison. The defendant, of Mitchell Street, Burnley, admitted driving with excess alcohol, driving while disqualified, using an uninsured vehicle, police obstruction and taking a vehicle without consent.

He was given a 12 months community rehabilitation order, to include the Drink Impaired Drivers' Programme and was banned for three years.

Bill Berry, defending, said Ormonde had been out, had had a moderate amount to drink, was not in a particularly good mood and wasn't thinking straight.

He saw the van with the engine running and could not resist temptation.

He had been incredibly stupid.

Ormonde drove a very short distance before he realised he was being followed by police, stopped and was arrested.

Mr Berry said the defendant accepted he gave false details to police.

He panicked and would have quite easily been found out.