LEARNER driver Carl Marsden collided with a taxi after driving off in his girlfriend's car after an early morning row, a court was told.

Blackburn magistrates heard that following the collision Marsden had panicked because he thought the taxi driver was sending for "back up".

And he had driven off before the police arrived.

Marsden, 26, of Coleridge Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to taking a car without consent aggravated by damage being caused, failing to stop and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and without insurance.

He was ordered to pay a total of £400 in fines and costs and disqualified from driving for six months.

Wendy Chappell, prosecuting, said the taxi was being driven down Highfield Road when a VW Golf pulled out of Rockliffe Street and collided with the nearside of the vehicle.