A DRINK driver who smashed into another car dashed to a nearby phone box to report his car stolen to police.

Burnley magistrates heard how Jason Emmett, 27, ran off after running the other vehicle off the road and was later found to be two-and-a-half times the legal limit.

Emmett, a welder, of Sackville Street, Burnley, was banned from driving for two years and fined £375, with £40 costs.

He admitted driving with excess alcohol, failing to stop and failing to report an accident.

Linda Forshaw, prosecuting, said a car was travelling along Queen Victoria Road, Burnley, towards Nelson in the early hours.

A vehicle went straight at him, running him off the road and the driver then got out and ran off. As a police officer was dealing with the incident, he was told Emmett was in the process of reporting the car stolen.

The officer took him back to the scene and a breath test proved positive. The lower of two breath tests showed 90 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

David Lawson, defending, said Emmett had been incredibly foolish and naive and bitterly regretted what he had done. He had gone to a club with a friend and intended to leave his car parked outside and go back for it the next day.

A doorman told him the vehicle was not in a safe place and he foolishly took his advice to move it.

He was bitterly ashamed of his actions. Emmett's mother was disabled and relied on him to take her shopping. She was also ashamed of him.

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