A YOUNG driver who shunted a parked car into the front of a relative’s home in Burnley – while trying to flee an earlier collision – has been given a suspended prison sentence by magistrates.

Michael Patrick Joseph Ryan, 20, had not even passed a driving test when his Fiat Stilo car crashed into a Mercedes Sprinter van in Waterbarn Street last November, the Burnley court was told.

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Magistrates chairman Paul Wright said: “There was a very serious risk of injury to people, even children, on what is a narrow street.

“And when you were interviewed about the matter by the probation service you simply didn’t seem to appreciate the seriousness of what you did.”

The court heard Ryan was arrested six days earlier for motoring offences, which eventually saw him appear before Burnley Crown Court last Monday, when he was given a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, and given 24 months probation supervision.

For the later offences, Ryan, of Ivy Street, Burnley, admitted driving without due care and attention, failing to stop after an accident, failing to report an accident, having no insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

He was given a 12-week suspended prison sentence, to run concurrently with his crown court term.

Magistrates also imposed a 12-month driving ban and ordered him to pay £85 court costs with an £80 victim surcharge.

Alex Mann, prosecuting, said the November 11 collision happened at around 9am when the defendant’s car hit a van turning right in the street.

The van driver stopped to exchange details, but Ryan drove off and collided with a second vehicle, pushing it into the front of a house in Brennand Street.

David Lawson, defending, said his client needed help with his approach to driving issues in future.