A POLICE officer on her way to work saw Paul Nicholas Johnston lying on the floor looking at a crashed car which it later turned out belonged to his father.

Blackburn magistrates heard that by the time the officer stopped and returned to the scene, Johnston had fled but he was eventually arrested with the help of the police helicopter.

Johnston, 22, of School Street, Bromley Cross, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol and while disqualified, taking a car without consent, aggravated by damage caused, and driving without insurance.

The case was adjourned until April 22 for the preparation of psychiatric reports.

David Hartley, prosecuting, said PC Carol Leach was travelling into Darwen at about 6.45 am when she saw an escort at the junction with Stones Bank Road. It had a flat tyre and was clearly damaged.

"Near the vehicle she saw a male lying down in a wooded area, resting his head in his hands and looking at the vehicle," said Mr Hartley.

Lesley Halliwell, defending, said that at the time of the offence Johnston was living with his father in Darwen.

He had been out for a few drinks and when he got home saw his dad's car keys on the table.

"He was desperate to go back to his girlfriend's house in Bromley Cross.

He thought he could take the car and return before the morning and no one would be any the wiser," said Miss Halliwell.

She said that on the way back a car had come round a bend on the wrong side of the road and collided with him before driving off.

"He had to climb out of a window of the car it was that badly damaged and he could not believe what had happened," said Miss Halliwell.