A DRIVER fled the scene after crashing into parked vehicles causing injuries to three people.

Blackburn magistrates heard David Aspin handed himself in to police the day after the crash in Union Road, Oswaldtwistle, a week before Christmas.

Aspin, 37, of Cobden Close, Sabden, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention, failing to stop and failing to report an accident. He was fined £120 with £85 costs and £32 victim surcharge and his licence endorsed with 10 penalty points.

Gillian Kennaugh, prosecuting, said Harry Jones was in his car with friends Eloise Botterill and Georgia D'Souza and stopped outside an off-licence on Union Road at about 10.49 pm. Mr Jones got out was leaning in through the passenger side window when the car behind was shunted violently into his vehicle.

Mr Jones was knocked to the floor and saw Aspin, whose air bag had been activated, apparently trying to get out of his car.

"He assumed the driver would come over and see if they were alright but he didn't said Ms Kennaugh. "The police were on the scene very quickly but he had left."

Mr Jones and his passengers were all treated at Royal Blackburn Hospital and Mr Jones reported that his car, which he had only had for a few weeks, was a write-off.

Ben Leech, defending, the accident happened in the run up to Christmas and there would be the concern that his client had been drinking and wanted to avoid being breathalysed.

"That was not the case," said Mr Leech. "He is a self-employed joiner and had been working in Oswaldtwistle and had gone home and had his tea."

Mr Leech said Aspin then got a call from the person he had been working for to say he had left his drill.

"He needed the drill for work and the home owner he had been working for was leaving early the next morning," said Mr Leech. "He got in his car and went back and was driving through Oswaldtwistle when a car pulled out on him and he swerved to avoid it."

Mr Leech said his client was trapped in the car and panicked.

"He got out and there was a bit of a crowd," said Mr Leech. "Some of them were showing some aggression and others were filming and, in his state of panic, he left."

Mr Leech suggested that give his clients "impeccable record" the matter could be dealt with by way of a fine.