A MAN rushing home because he was due to fly off on holiday that evening shot a red light and crashed into another car.

Blackburn magistrates heard Przemyslw Kowalski was breathalysed following the collision and found to be two and a half times the legal limit.

Kowalski, 35, of Pendle Drive, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol. He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 20 days rehabilitation activity requirement, fined £100 and ordered to pay £85 costs and £90 victim surcharge. He was banned from driving for three years after the court heard he had a previous conviction for drink driving in 2017.

Peter Bardsley, prosecuting, said a female motorist had pulled off from lights beyond Darwen Street bridge when a car came from her left and she hit the drivers door.

Kowalski got out of his car and asked if the woman was alright before admitting it as his fault.

"He said he was in a rush to catch a flight to Dubai from Liverpool that evening," said Mr Bardsley.

The court heard Kowalski worked as cabin crew for Easy Jet and relied on his car to get him to Liverpool Airport from where he flew. He would now have to rent accommodation near to the airport so he could be available on call.

The flight to Dubai had been for a holiday and shortly before the collision he had drunk three Jack Daniels and coke with a friend.