A "RECKLESS" teenage driver smashed into a car and then panicked and reversed away without stopping, a court heard.

Burnley magistrates were told Raja Azeem Riaz, 19, had behaved unacceptably and bitterly regretted it.

Wendy Chappell, prosecuting, said the victim was about to park in front of his house in Nelson, when he saw an Astra coming towards him at speed.

He ducked and the car crashed into his Focus, shunting it about three car lengths forward.

The victim got out to speak to the defendant, who reversed up the road at speed. The registration plate had fallen off so the victim was able to get his number.

He later handed himself in at the police station because he claimed he felt guilty and said he had been smoking a cigarette and must have been distracted.

The defendant, who has previous convictions for banned driving and aggravated vehicle taking, admitted dangerous driving and failing to stop.

Riaz, then of Sackville Street, Brierfield, but now of Thursden Place, Nelson, was given a community order with 180 hours unpaid work, a one month curfew between 8pm and 7am and was banned for 18 months. He must may £60 costs and was ordered to take an extended retest.

Sentencing, the bench told the defendant the guideline penalty was custody as he had caused harm.

Graeme Parkinson, defending, said Riaz knew his behaviour was totally unacceptable and that he bitterly regretted it. He drove off because he panicked.