STEVEN John Sharratt panicked when he saw a police car behind him just days after he had been charged with motoring document offences.

Blackburn magistrates heard that he ran a red light and sped off in an attempt to get away from the officer who, until then, had not been suspicious of him.

Sharratt, 33, of Maricourt Avenue, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and two sets of driving without insurance, licence, or MOT. He was ordered to complete a 150 hour community punishment order, disqualified from driving for two years and fined £350 with £100 costs. The magistrates ordered that he completes an extended re-test before his licence is returned. Stephen Parker, defending, said Sharratt had reacted foolishly. said Mr Parker. "Clearly he has made things much worse for himself."