A TEENAGER who crashed his step-father’s Audi after taking it from outside the family home was no longer welcome at the house, a court heard.

Blackburn magistrates heard Joseph James Ridsdale was also building bridges with his mother after the incident which left the other motorist with minor injuries.

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Ridsdale, of Marsden Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, failing to stop after an accident and driving without insur-ance and other than in accordance with a licence.

He was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months and ordered to do 40 days' rehabilitation activity requirement and pay £85 costs. He was banned from driving for two years.

Paul Huxley, defending, said there had been a number of difficulties at the family home in Great Harwood.

“He felt he had to escape the house-hold and quite stupidly took his step-father’s keys and droive off in his car,” said Mr Huxley. “The car in front braked for a junction and he ran into the back of it. He then panicked and drove off, parking the car around the corner, about 30 yards from home.”

Mr Huxley said the step-father didn’t know the car was missing until he looked out the following morning.

“The relationship with his father is virtually non-existent" and there are bridges to build with his mother,” said Mr Huxley.