A FATHER of three who smashed his car, ran off and then reported it stolen, has kept his freedom -- and his driving licence.

Burnley Magistrates heard how Sean McLeod, an ex-convict who had spent a wild youth, thought he had put such behaviour behind him and so did his family and bosses.

McLeod, who went to the police station the next morning after it dawned on him how stupid he had been, was given 120 hours community punishment, with nine penalty points on his licence and £60 costs.

The defendant, of Arthur Street, Barnoldswick, had admitted driving without due care and attention, failing to stop after an accident, failing to report an accident and resisting or obstructing a police officer, on April 26.

Sarah Statham, prosecuting, said a farmer was driving his car towards Gisburn and saw a vehicle come over the brow of a hill.

The car was out of control, travelling broadside, but then managed to straighten up. It then lost control again and hit him.

The defendant's car spun round and ended up facing in the opposite direction. The farmer stopped and although he was not injured, his car was damaged.

The farmer asked McLeod and his passenger if they had a mobile telephone, they said they hadn't and he went to a nearby house to contact police. When he returned to the crash scene, both men had disappeared.

Miss Statham said the defendant had reported his vehicle stolen and police began making enquiries.

They were going to carry out forensic tests. McLeod went into the police station the next morning and admitted he had been driving the car which crashed. He said he had been driving like an idiot and had panicked.

The defendant had a conviction for excess alcohol and had served a four-year jail term for grievous bodily harm.

Glen Smith, defending, said McLeod never believed he could do something so stupid again.

The driver of the other car spoke to him and did not make any reference of suspicion McLeod had been drinking.

The defendant contacted the police because he was frightened of the consequences. He accepted he had done wrong.

McLeod, who worked six days a week and travelled long distances, had been wild in his younger days and got into scrapes but had paid a significant penalty.