A DARWEN man who had been drinking all Christmas Day left the house shortly before midnight, locking the door behind him, and drove off in his girlfriend's car, a court heard.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Justine Smith immediately phoned the police, who spotted Luc Tristan Wrennall minutes later and arrested him.

Wrennall, 31, of Alexandra Road, pleaded guilty to unauthorised taking of the car, driving with excess alcohol and without insurance.

He was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report after the magistrates were told he had a previous conviction for failing to provide a specimen of breath.

Philippa White, prosecuting, said Wrennall had been drinking Stella Artois, red wine and, when friends arrived at 6.30pm, started drinking cocktails.

The court was told that prior to Christmas, the self-employed builder, had been under considerable pressure. There were certain domestic issues which came to a head on Christmas Day and rather than stay in the house and argue he decided to get out of the way, the court was told.