A DRUNKEN teenager who took his father's car for a spin after a night on the town was slammed as a danger to the public by magistrates.

The Burnley bench had been told how apprentice plumber William Rayson, 19, was two and a half times the limit when stopped by police in the early hours of Saturday.

He had never even applied for a driving licence. Rayson was "quite drunk," could hardly speak and was unsteady on his feet.

Rayson was told by the chairman: "You were a danger to the public. You could have killed somebody. Let this be the one and only time we see you in this court. Let this be a lesson to you."

She went on: "This is not the sort of thing you are going to have a laugh about with the lads out on a Friday night."

Rayson, of Dixon Street, Colne, admitted taking a conveyance without authority, no licence, no insurance and driving with excess alcohol. He was fined £400, with £50 costs and banned for two years.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said Rayson took his father's car without permission. Police saw him in the early hours swerving from one side of the road to the other and stopped him.

Nick Dearing, defending, said Rayson had been out drinking the night before and made the stupid decision to take his father's car for a spin around the block when he got home.

He had been distressed after spending a night in custody and had been very worried about appearing in court. He had learned a salutary lesson.

Rayson's father, a plumber who employed the defendant, had forgiven him.