AN UNINSURED drug driver lost control of his car during a police chase and crashed into a garden wall.

Burnley Crown Court heard how police spotted Daniel Luke Wimbles driving a grey Peugeot 207 which had a broken rear brake light in Old Hall Street, Burnley, at 3.55pm on May 13, this year.

Prosecuting, Emma Kehoe said as the police car pulled up behind the vehicle it immediately accelerated and drove at speed Grey Street, Hurtley Street, Elm Street and Milner Street.

Despite officers turning on their police car’s blue lights, the Peugeot only came to a stop after Wimbles, who is a former painter and decorator, turned into Spencer Street too fast, lost control and ploughed through a garden wall.

Wimbles, 20, of Windermere Avenue, Burnley, and his front seat passenger ran from the vehicle but were stopped by the police a short time later.

Wimbles was breathalysed at the scene and was found to have drugs in his system.

A blood test later showed he had cocaine, THC and Benzoylecgonine in his system.

Describing the pursuit, Ms Kehoe, said: “The officers say this was a heavily populated area. It was 3.55pm but there was no attempt to slow down. There was no slowing down for corners. There was a give way sign that was ignored. The officers described the driving as dangerous. There were children playing in the street. The roads are very narrow.”

Wimbles, who has no previous convictions as an adult but was disqualified from driving as a youth for driving without insurance, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving without insurance and three counts of driving under the influence of drugs.

Defending, Salina Akhtar said her client, who is expecting his first child with his long-term partner, panicked when he saw the police car because he knew he was driving without insurance.

Ms Akhtar said: “His friend in the passenger seat was telling him not to pull over. He panicked and lost control of the vehicle.

“He understands the serious nature of the offence.”

Wimbles was banned from driving for 18 months, ordered to take an extended re-test and made subject of a 12-month community order, with 150 hours unpaid work. He must also pay £250 costs and a £250 fine.

Passing sentence, Judge Jonathan Gibson, said: “The whole chase didn’t take very long, particularly because of the speed you were going. But it only takes a moment to knock somebody over. It only take a moment to crash the car. It only takes a moment to cause serious injury or worse. The courts always take these kind of cases very seriously.”