A LEARNER driver whose parents were on holiday took his father's car without permission and crashed it in Accrington before fleeing the scene, a court heard.

Lee Hughie John Davis, 19, of Carter Avenue, Hapton, admitted aggravated vehicle taking and failing to stop after an accident. He also admitted driving without a valid licence and driving without insurance.

Hyndburn magistrates gave Davis a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered him to pay £438 compensation to the owner of a parked car he crashed into. He was banned from driving for a year and ordered to pay £60 costs.

Lisa Worsley, prosecuting, said that Davis's parents had gone on holiday in June, leaving the Rover Metro car, which belonged to his father Andrew, on their drive.

On July 7, Davis, a mechanic, went out in the car. He was driving on Whalley Road in Accrington when he crashed into a parked car, panicked and drove off.

He parked his father's car about 200 yards away and walked back to the scene of the accident, where he was arrested by police who had already arrived.

The crash caused £800 damage to his father's car and £438 damage to the parked Rover 214SLi, which belonged to a woman called Susan Wright.

Peter King, defending, said Davis had been attempting a three-point turn when he accelerated too hard and struck the parked car.

He said Davis had used the car to drive to Accrington for a takeaway meal and now realised how stupid he had been.

His mother and father were in court and were supporting their son, despite his actions.

He said Davis had already been punished financially because he would have to pay his father for the damage to his car.

A charge of failing to report an accident was dismissed after the prosecution offered no evidence.

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