A DOORMAN who drove off after hitting a tree thought he had killed his brother, a court was told.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Asif Hussain, 25, travelled up to two miles with three badly injured passengers and his car partly wrecked.

Hussain, of Burnley Road, Brierfield, whose brother survived, but spent five months in hospital after the early morning crash, kept his freedom, after admitting dangerous driving.

Putting him on probation for 12 months, Judge David Pirie said the collision with the tree occurred without criminal fault after a "blow-out," but the dangerous driving was committed when the defendant went for a significant distance in the severely damaged car, which was a stupid and foolish thing to do.

Hussain was also ordered to pay £70 costs.

John Bailey, prosecuting, said after the defendant drove off, the vehicle was followed by police.

Sparks were flying from the vehicle where the tyre was flat and the metal was hitting the floor.

When Hussain stopped, officers had to use CS spray to subdue him.

Robert Crawford, defending, said Hussain must have been very shocked to behave as he did and drove on "auto pilot."

His brother was grievously injured.

When police stopped the vehicle, Hussain thought his brother was dying or had died and was very upset.

He thought he had killed him and that was perhaps why he had to be restrained in the way he did as he was blaming himself for what happened.

Mr Crawford said, the defendant's brother, who suffered spinal, pelvic, arm and leg injuries had now been released from hospital after several months.

Hussain, who normally worked as a doorman, had previous convictions, but was not somebody constantly in and out of trouble.