A MOTORIST claimed he panicked and tried to escape from the police because he had a small quantity of heroin in his possession.

Blackburn magistrates heard in the course of a police pursuit Mohammed Sadiq shot two red lights at busy junctions before eventually abandoning his vehicle and running off down a footpath.

Sadiq, 46, of Hollin Bridge Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, possession heroin and driving without insurance and other than in accordance with a licence. He was committed on bail to Preston Crown Court to be sentenced on December 2.

Tracy Yates, prosecuting, said the incident started on Bank Top when the patrolling officer spotted a car which had been circulated earlier as being of interest in relation to another incident.

The car, with a male driver and female passenger, drove off at normal speed until being held at traffic lights at Bolton Road. It then set off at speed along Highfield Road, Moseley Street and Grimshaw Park with the police in pursuit.

The car was drive through two sets of traffic lights on red before speeding along Canterbury Street before stopping in Fawcett Close.

"Both the driver and passenger got out and ran off down a narrow footpath but the defendant was eventually detained and found to be in possession of a small amount of heroin," said Mrs Yates.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said his client had panicked when he realised the police were following him because of the heroin he had in his pocket.

"He has put himself in a far worse position than if he had just stopped," said Mr Taylor.

"He would have faced document offences and possession of a small amount of heroin."

Mr Taylor said his client accepted shooting red lights and being over the speed limit in certain areas.

"It wasn't a prolonged chase and the speeds were not overly excessive," said Mr Taylor.

"He just wishes he had stopped as soon as the police indicated for him to do that."