Rishton man ran off after crashing mum's car (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Rishton man ran off after crashing mum's car

10:49am Monday 30th July 2012 in Hyndburn

A 19-YEAR-OLD man who took his mum’s car without her consent ran off after crashing into a parked car while being followed by police.

Blackburn magistrates heard the parked car was written off, and Joseph David Arnfield’s mum’s car was extensively damaged in the collision, in St Charles’ Road, Rishton.

And the magistrates warned Arnfield they believed a custodial sentence was merited by his actions.

“You disregarded police instructions as you tried to evade arrest,” said the chairman.

“You knew what you were doing when you took your mother’s car and went and picked your friends up.

“You could have caused death, or serious injury, to yourself, or other people, and we believe these offences merit a custodial sentence of between 12 and 26 weeks.”

Arnfield, 19, of St Hubert’s Road, Great Harwood, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, failing to stop, and failing to report an accident, and driving without insurance.

He was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Neil White, prosecuting, said there were two passengers in the car when it turned into St Charles’ Road at speed and crashed into a parked car.

Arnfield fled from the scene, but handed himself in two days later.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said his client was very sorry, and apologised to his mother, and the owner of the parked car.