A 26-YEAR-OLD man who got into his partner’s car and drove off after a “petty” row after drinking wrote the vehicle off by crashing into a parked car.

Blackburn magistrates heard a bad decision by Jason Michael Ludlam had ended a good relationship and left him facing the possibility of a custodial sentence.

MORE TOP STORIES:

Ludlam, of Richmond Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle aggravated by damage caused, driving with excess alcohol, without insurance and other than in accordance with a licence.

He was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison suspended for two years with a nine-month alcohol treatment requirement and 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement. He was banned from driving for 26 months and ordered to pay £400 compensation, £115 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said Ludlam’s partner said he had been drinking and was being a nuisance. She told him to go to sleep but he ran out of the house and got in her car.

“She ran after him and tried to get in the passenger side but he had locked the door,” said Miss Allan. “She ran round to the driver’s side but he drove off. The police were called and they later found the car crashed in Cog Lane, Burnley.”

Ludlam was found nearby and gave an alcohol reading more than three times the legal limit.

Daniel Frazer, defending, said there had been an argument over something as petty as a light being switched off. “He wanted to get away and took the car,” said Mr Frazer. “He could have gone for a walk around the block. He still can’t explain a bad decision.”