A TEENAGER who had never had a driving lesson raced away from police after pulling out in front of their car.

Blackburn magistrates heard the officers considered the pursuit too dangerous as the youth sped along Johnston Street, Arthur Street and Rawstorne Street in Blackburn.

But moments after the car hit two parked vehicles and stopped after smashing into a house in Oozehead Lane.

The 17-year-old driver, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving without insurance and a licence, possession of an offensive weapon, a knuckle duster, and possession of cannabis. He was made subject to a referral order for 12 moths, banned from driving for 20 months and ordered to pay £85 costs and £21 victim surcharge.

The chairman of the magistrates told the defendant that if he had been an adult he would have been at the crown court and looking at a prison sentence.

“You could have killed yourself, your passengers or other road users,” she added.

Ruby Mckeague, prosecuting, said the officers were driving along Johnston Street at 11pm on January 29 when a Vauxhall Astra pulled out in front of them.

“The driver of the police car had to brake to avoid a collision,” said Miss Mckeague. “The car sped off but the officers could see there were several people in the vehicle.”

She said the officers had decided to call off the pursuit but saw the car crash into two parked vehicles in Oozehead Lane before colliding with the house.

“A number of males jumped out of the car and ran off but an officer pursued the driver and detained him in an alleyway,” said Miss Mckeague.

“The knuckleduster and the cannabis were found after his arrest.” The defendant told the court he had never had a driving lesson and bought the car that day. He said he had been very stupid.