A 20-YEAR-old man drove at more than 70mph through the streets of Accrington, took a blind bend on the wrong side of the road and mounted the pavement to overtake another vehicle before giving police the slip, a court heard.

The following morning, a police officer had to jump for his life as the car was driven straight at him as he signalled for it to stop on Roman Road, Blackburn.

Blackburn magistrates were told that the offences took place when Stefan Grant was a disqualified driver.

Grant, of Blackburn Road, Darwen, pleaded guilty to two charges of unauthorised taking aggravated by dangerous driving and two of driving while disqualified.

He also admitted two offences of criminal damage and was sent to a Young Offenders Institute for a total of nine months and disqualified from driving for two years.

Neil White, prosecuting, said that at about 4pm on January 29 a Nissan estate car had been left in Robert Street, Accrington, with the keys in the ignition.

Later in the day it was seen in Blackburn and at about 8.30pm it was seen in Willows Lane by a police officer, who signalled the driver to stop.

Mr White said as the officer approached it drove away at speed, accelerating to over 70mph.

The following day at 7.10am police were mounting a speed check on Roman Road when an officer was informed that a Nissan heading towards him was speeding.

The officer stood in the road indicating for the driver to stop. The car slowed to about 20mph but when it was only 5m from the officer, accelerated hard.