A 31-YEAR-OLD driver went on a high-speed tour of Blackburn’s Mill Hill unaware he was being watched by police officers in an unmarked vehicle.

Blackburn magistrates heard there were previous complaints from concerned residents about the way the VW Golf had been driven in the area.

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The court was told that by the time a liveried police vehicle arrived, the car had been abandoned but the driver was identified to police, who later arrested Derek Roy Smith.

Smith, of Benson Street, Blackburn, was convicted in his absence of driving without due care and attention.

He received a six-month driving ban, a £660 fine with £85 costs and £66 victim surcharge.

Elliot Taylforth, prosecuting, said two officers were travelling along Livesey Branch Road when the car driven by Smith pulled out of Parklands Way.

They were aware of the previous reports about the vehicle and requested a marked car to attend.

The court heard the officers followed the car down Moorgate Street, New Wellington Street and St Aidan’s Avenue, and saw it travelling at excessive speed, overtaking cars and then slamming on the brakes to get back into the traffic and narrowly avoiding several collisions with oncoming cars.

Mr Taylforth said: “It was a time when parents were collecting their children from school and he passed at least one primary school.

“When he was interviewed by the police Smith accepted his driving had been below the required standard.”