A MOTHER snatched a three-year-old boy from a social services conference and drove off, ramming a police car.

Blackburn magistrates heard when police found Tracy Kirby she refused to return the child and drove off, subjecting him to an ordeal which amounted to cruelty.

The court heard Kirby, 31, rammed a police car as she forced her way between a marked police car and a police van positioned to stop her.

She drove through Accrington town centre, failing to stop at two junctions, before turning on to Paradise Street where she mounted the pavement to avoid an oncoming police car. She rejoined the road and narrowly missed a police vehicle which was giving chase.

Claire Fanning, prosecuting, said the car was next seen on Dunkenhalgh Way where officers from the tactical support unit positioned their van to prevent her driving off.

"She was described as staring blankly out of the window," said Miss Fanning. "The passenger window had to be smashed to gain access. By this time the child was very upset."

Kirby, of Cliff Street, Rishton, pleaded guilty to cruelty to a child, dangerous driving and assault.

She was made subject to a community supervision order for two years with a condition she attend psychiatric appointments. She was also disqualified from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay £50 compensation and £65 costs.

Ibrar Hussain, defending, said: "At the time of this incident she was under considerable stress and pressure given the events of the previous days," said Mr Hussain. "During the entire incident the child was strapped into a rear seat and no harm was caused to him."