A MECHANIC who tried to stop a stranger driving off in his car ended up being dragged about 70 metres, a court heard.
Daniel Keeney eventually lost his grip and fell into the road but, during a struggle, he smeared the offender's face in oil from his hands.
And Daniel Travis was easily identifiable when police drove Mr Keeney around looking for the teenager responsible.
Travis, 18, of Leicester Road, Blackburn, was given 18 months youth custody at Preston Crown Court. He was also banned from driving for two years.
He admitted disqualified driving, not having insurance, failing to answer bail, and aggravated vehicle taking.
Francis McEntee, prosecuting, said mechanic Mr Keeney left his car in a works compounds in Thornley Avenue, at the Whitebirk estate, in September.
When he saw it being driven off, he managed to open the driver's door, and put the driver in a headlock in an effort to pull him from the vehicle.
Mr McEntee told the court: "The driver began to struggle violently, but the man would not let go.
"The driver set off towards Burnley Road. Mr Keeney still had hold of him and he was dragged around 70 metres, causing injury to his right leg."
The car went on to hit something and the mechanic lost his grip, falling into the road. Travis and a younger lad got out and ran off.
During the struggle, the defendant's face ended up covered in oil from Mr Keeney's hands.
The disqualified driving offence was in August.
Officers were at a Tesco filling station when they saw Travis drive onto the forecourt in a haphazard manner. He ran off, but was chased and caught.
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