A CAR which raced off when police signalled for the driver to stop was later found on its roof extensively damaged.

Blackburn magistrates heard that the car had been taken from outside a house in Oswaldtwistle, without the owner’s consent.

And the following day, her boyfriend handed himself in to the police and admitted he had been the driver.

Nathan William Shaw, 26, of Somerset Grove, Church, pleaded guilty to unauthorised taking, aggravated by dangerous driving, failing to stop when required by a police officer, and driving without insurance.

He was ordered to do 200 hours unpaid work, was banned from driving for 18 months, and ordered to pay £145 costs.

Parveen Akhtar, prosecuting, said the car belonged to Carla Roberts who was Shaw’s girl-friend.

Officers saw the vehicle in Union Road, Oswaldtwistle, at 11.15pm.

A check revealed only Carla Roberts was authorised to drive the car and they indicated for the driver to stop.

“Instead, he drove off at high speed,” said Miss Akhtar.

“The officers lost sight of the vehicle, but then came upon it on its roof and extensively damaged.”

Gareth Price, defending, said Shaw had been at a party with his girlfriend when they had a row.

“He left the party to avoid further trouble, but had her keys in his pocket and made the foolish decision to take her car,” said Mr Price.

“When the police tried to get him to stop, he simply panicked.”