A DISQUALIFIED driver stopped by police in the early hours of the morning raced off when the officer got out of his car.

Blackburn magistrates heard after a brief pursuit Zoheb Musawar Janjua changed his mind and stopped again.

Janjua, 25, of Regent Street, Nelson, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without insurance, failing to stop when required by a police officer, possession of cocaine and failing to provide a specimen of blood for analysis. He was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Tracy Yates, prosecuting, said after his arrest Janjua gave a negative alcohol breath test but a preliminary drugs test which proved positive for cannabis and cocaine. He then refused to provide a blood sample.

Mrs Yates said Janjua told police he had borrowed a friend’s car but didn’t want to name him.

She said he was subject to two disqualifications, one imposed in January for drug driving and one imposed in February for the same offence.

Mark Williams, defending, said initially accelerating away from the police his client had quickly come to his senses and stopped.

“He had been told he should speak to a solicitor before he gave a blood sample,” said Mr Williams. “Clearly that is not the case.”

The chairman of the magistrates said Janjua’s behaviour had been stupid and dangerous.

“You ignored court orders and you ignored government lockdown orders,” she said.