TWO youths who sped through a town centre in stolen a prestige car have both paid the price with their liberty.

Colin Fisher, 19, who was at the wheel of the Jaguar XJ6 as it sped through Accrington, was sent to detention for two years and three months. His passenger, Carl Heap, 17, was given six months.

Fisher, of Rydal Close, Huncoat, admitted aggravated vehicle taking, no insurance, burglary, escaping from custody and being carried in a vehicle taken without authority and asked for nine offences to be considered.

Heap, of the same address, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking.

Lee Finglas, 16, of Shuttle Close, Accrington, who also admitted burglary received four months.

Jeremy Grout-Smith, prosecuting, said the Jaguar was taken from Accrington, last November. As police followed it, the car, with Fisher at the wheel, clocked up 90mph, almost hit bollards, narrowly missed some railings and reversed towards the police car, making officers think they were about to be rammed. The Jaguar sustained damage to the tune of £2,000.

The following day, Fisher, who committed a £675 house burglary with Finglas in Windermere Avenue, Huncoat, was in the dock at court when he leapt out and escaped. He was arrested at home the next day.

Paul Hague, defending Fisher, said the defendant had been a regular court appearer since he was 12 and lacked stability in his life. He had gone into care at seven, when his father was on the run from police and was moved from children's home to children's home. He said Fisher now had a girlfriend who was important to him, and the reason he escaped from custody was because he thought she was going to finish with him.

Mr Hague went on: "He presents problems for the court, society and the social services who have tried to bring him up. He is ill-educated, ill-adapted to get a job and has little anchor in his life. He is a very young man for the courts to give up on and needs help and support."

Representing Heap, Sara Dodd, said the defendant was a very frightened and very concerned young man. He was fascinated by cars and could not keep away.

Anthony Cross, defending Finglas, said the defendant, who had been brought up mostly in care, was desperate for stability. He had tried to enlist in the army and some people would say "a spot of national service wouldn't go amiss."

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