A BANNED driver in a stolen Renault van led police on a high speed chase around Ribble Valley lanes.

Blackburn magistrates heard the chase started at 11.40am and didn't end until Michael Maughan failed to negotiate a bend and crashed into a wall in Oakenclough Lane, Chipping, at 12.35pm on Friday (October 5).

During the chase Maughan reached speeds of up to 70mph and showed no heed for the possibility of oncoming vehicles.

Maughan, 42, of Clifton Drive North, Lytham St Annes, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without insurance, driving without due care and attention, failing to stop for a police officer, unauthorised taking aggravated by damage caused and attempted theft from a farm in Catterall and theft of the car keys.

He was committed in custody to Preston Crown Court to be sentenced on November 12.

Sending the case to the Crown Court District Judge Huw Edwards said the nature of the driving had been appalling.

"You could have caused injury or worse to any number of people and it is just fortunate that didn't happen," he said.

Parveen Akhtar, prosecuting, said having stolen the keys Maughan drove the car to Catterall where he was in the process of stealing an £800 whacker plate when he was disturbed by the owner.

Police were alerted and the car was spotted near Lancaster and sped off towards Chipping.

Miss Akhtar said it was Maughan's thirteenth conviction for disqualified driving.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, the incident had happened against a background of family problems which had left his client in a bad place.

"His mother died of cancer, a young nephew was injured in a car crash and earlier this year his brother was murdered," said Mr Taylor.