AN ACCRINGTON motorist who crashed into a wall trying to escape from police has been banned from driving for two years.

Shiraz Younis, 20, of College Street, who has never held a driving licence, admitted driving without due care and attention when he appeared before Hyndburn magistrates.

The court heard that police saw him driving a Toyota Carina in Charter Street in December and decided to stop him to check the vehicle, which looked like it was in poor condition.

Peter Wilde, prosecuting, said they followed the vehicle and used flashing head lamps and the siren to try to get him to stop, but he did not.

The car speeded up to 50mph and turned suddenly into Lower Antley Street, then Lodge Street, where it clipped the kerb.

The court heard that the car also mounted the pavement, demolishing a concrete bollard, before colliding with the wall of a disused factory.

Mr Wilde said: "The defendant then got out of the car and made off on foot over the bonnet of the police car.

"He was caught and arrested."

Gareth Price, defending, said jobless Younis, who had bought the car to fix it up, panicked when the police came up behind him.

He said: "He drove away, which was entirely the wrong reaction.

"By crashing the car in the way that he has, the evidence of driving without due care and attention is clear."

Younis, who also admitted driving without a licence, insurance and an MOT, was also fined £485 and was ordered to pay £50 court costs.