DRINK driver Scott Levett smashed his step-father's car into another vehicle after taking it to go to the all-night garage for cigarettes, a court was told.

Blackburn magistrates heard that the other driver suffered minor injuries in the collision, which resulted in both vehicles being written off.

But stipendiary magistrate Jonathon Finestein, said it was a miracle nobody had been seriously injured or even killed.

"If that had been the case you would have been facing much more serious charges and could have gone to prison for a very long time," said Mr Finestein. "As it is, I am going to take an exceptional course and not send you to prison.

"You have no previous convictions, I am satisfied that you are genuinely remorseful for what has happened and that we are unlikely to see you in these courts again."

Levett, 20, of Garden Village, Darwen, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol, aggravated taking of a motor vehicle and driving without insurance. He was ordered to do 200 hours community service and disqualified from driving for 18 months. Libby Reed, prosecuting, said the incident had occurred in the early hours of the morning. Levett gave a breathalyser reading of almost twice the legal limit.

Paul Schofield, defending, said Levett had taken his step-father's car because it was blocking in his mother's car, which he was entitled to drive.

He had set off to get some cigarettes from the 24-hour garage but had not driven the car before and failed to negotiate a bend.

He said Levett had stayed at the scene and co-operated fully with the police.