A DRINK driver riding a mini-moto tried to escape from a police officer but fell off as he took a corner.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Jordan Anthony Upton was later found to be more than double the legal drink driving limit.

Upton, 25, of Ulverston Drive, Rishton, pleaded guilty to driving the machine with excess alcohol, without insurance or MOT, other that in accordance with a licence and without a crash helmet.

He was fined £250 with £60 costs and banned from driving for 20 months.

Philip Potter, prosecuting, said many people viewed mini-motos as toys.

"In the eyes of the law they are anything but that.

"They are subject to the same legal require-ments as the full size version," said Mr Potter.

Peter King, defending, said that while the law did not view mini- motos as toys that was exactly how his client had seen it.

"The mini-moto belonged to a friend and he had allowed him to have a go," said Mr King.

"He was not warned about the implications of riding this machine on the road.

"He did not have any prior knowledge of the requirement for docu-ments and the need to wear a helmet."