A 26-YEAR-OLD man led police on a high speed chase in a stolen car before eventually crashing into two parked cars and writing one of them off.

Magistrates heard the incident was a carbon copy of one that almost killed Paul Denwood six years earlier.

At the time of the latest incident he was still receiving treatment for injuries he received in 2011, the prosecution said.

Both of the cars he hit belonged to staff at Burnley General Hospital where he is currently being treated.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said the car had been stolen off the owner's driveway in the early hours of the night.

Twelve hours later police saw the car being driven in Burnley and gave chase.

Denwood refused to stop and there was a prolonged chase during which he failed to stop at junctions and drove at excessive speed.

Police eventually caught up when the car crashed in Casterton Avenue and they found the front seat passenger was a 14-year-old boy.

Nick Dearing, defending, said Denwood had nearly killed himself six years earlier in similar circumstances.

"He spent months in hospital and still has ongoing problems," said Mr Dearing. "He is currently on crutches because of those problems. At the age of 20 he was faced with the prospect of losing his legs and being confined to a wheelchair."

Mr Dearing told Blackburn magistrates that despite his history Denwood had got behind the wheel of a stolen car.

"He knew it was stolen although he had not been involved in the theft," said Mr Dearing. "He is still a young man and the probation service have indicated they are prepared to work with him."

Denwood, of Briercliffe Road, Burnley, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, driving while disqualified and without insurance and failing to stop when required by a police officer.

He was sentenced to 12 weeks in custody suspended for two years, given a 30 days rehabilitation activity requirement, banned from driving for 24 months and ordered to pay £500 compensation to one of three car owners.