A CONVICTED dangerous driver crashed into a BT equipment box wiping out a village's internet connection, magistrates heard.

Akif Hussain, 24, was driving his brother's high powered Subaru Impreza on September 30 last year when at about 11.20pm he lost control on the A6068 through Cowling near the junction with Wainman's Close, heard Skipton magistrates.

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Hussain, of Nelson, failed to see a 'keep left' bollard after overtaking another vehicle, lost control and ploughed into the BT box, causing one of the car's wheels to fly off.

The crash left cables from the BT box dangerously exposed, which could have been fatal to anyone who had touched them, said Nadine Clough, prosecuting.

It was three weeks before the village's internet connection was fully restored, leaving a number of businesses high and dry.

The driver passed by Hussain just before he crashed described him as driving at between 40 and 50 mph and like a 'boy racer', while police described the scene as 'carnage' and how it could have proved fatal to anyone else travelling in the car at the time.

Hussain correctly identified himself to police as the driver but went on to give his brother's details, when in fact he had taken the car without his consent, said Miss Clough.

He was eventually charged after handing himself in to police, she said.

Hussain, who the court heard had served a prison sentence after being convicted at Burnley Crown Court for dangerous driving in which he hit a pedestrian, admitted driving without due care and attention, driving without insurance, and the wilful obstruction of the officer, PC Andrew Ingram.

Police were unable to charge him with taking a car without the owner's consent, because his brother had not wanted to co-operate, the court heard.

Hussain, who represented himself in court, said the accident had caused a rift with his family and had led to him being thrown out of his parents' home of Chatham Street, Nelson.

He said he was deeply remorseful and had attempted to contact the police officer directly before handing himself in.

"I understand the seriousness of it and not only has it affected my life, but my family's life. I've been kicked out of my home, and its affected me in all sorts of ways," he said.

Hussain, who added he was not in court to give a 'sob story' said he been forced to sleep in his car, and was faced with losing his job if he lost his licence.

Magistrates told Hussain all three charges were very serious, that his driving had bordered on being dangerous and it had been his second offence of a similar nature.

He was banned from driving for 12 months and fined £433 with costs of £85 and surcharge of £43.