A BANNED driver who took a car from his father's garage and was involved in a smash, has had a jail term cut.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Asif Iqbal, 22, had got his uncle to claim he had been at the wheel but later owned up when police arrived.

Iqbal, who had six previous convictions for driving while disqualified, had earlier been jailed for four months by Burnley magistrates.

The sentence was cut to three months on appeal, by Recorder Harry Narayan, sitting with two justices.

The appellant, of Barkerhouse Road, Nelson, had earlier admitted driving while disqualified and not having insurance. He had also been banned for a year.

Philip Potter, for the Crown, said Iqbal had been working for his father and a customer brought in a vehicle for repairs.

Iqbal decided he was going to take it for a drive and ended up in a collision. There was no suggestion the crash was because of any bad driving on his part but the vehicle was badly damaged.

Iqbal ran off and his uncle later claimed he had been the driver. Police went to the garage and the appellant admitted leaving the scene of the accident and that he had spoken to his uncle.

Mr Potter said Iqbal had 17 previous convictions.

Philip Holden, for Iqbal, said he had a "deplorable," driving record.

Over the last 12 months, Iqbal had put his life in order and seemed to have a more mature attitude to his driving.

He had now got married, adopted his wife's two children and had responsibilities. He had spent two weeks in custody and was due to be released under the tagging system in 18 days.