A 25-YEAR-OLD-MAN who rolled his car on a rural road claimed he got lost in a forest before panicking and leaving the scene.

Blackburn magistrates heard it was 11 hours before Jake Micha Binks, 25, telephoned police to report the incident, when he pointed out that he had not been drinking.

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Binks, of Edisford Road, Clitheroe, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention and failing to stop after a road traffic accident.

He was ordered to do 120 hours of unpaid work, fined £200 and ordered to pay a £150 criminal court charge, a £60 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

Rachael Parker, prosecuting, said Binks had hit a dry stone wall and his car ended up on its roof.

“Local residents came to assist and he asked them not to call the police,” said Miss Parker. “He said he was going to a nearby farm to get his car recovered and then he left the scene.”

Miss Parker said police found blood inside Binks’ car and a dog handler and the police helicopter were called in but he could not be traced. He later told police he eventually found himself in Grindleton. Miss Parker said Binks had a conviction for driving with excess alcohol in 2011.

Deborah Morgan, defending, said Binks was devastated to be appearing in court. “He had been at home with his mum and his girlfriend and then decided to go for a drive,” she said. “He called police as soon as he got home. He appreciates that if he had stayed at the scene and dealt with this he would not be in this position.”