POLICE officers who chased a dangerous driver won the race, despite being on foot.

Blackburn magistrates heard Ryan Taylor reversed away from a police van after being recognised.

Two officers got out and ran after him and when Taylor collided with a parked car one was able to use his baton to smash the driver's side window and grab the ignition key.

Taylor, 33, of Newfield Drive, Nelson, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving without a licence and insurance. He was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months and ordered to complete 30 days rehabilitation activity requirement. He was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Pam Ward, prosecuting, said officers on mobile patrol on Selby Street saw Taylor in a parked car. The officer pulled alongside and started to get out of his van.

"The defendant released his handbrake and started to reverse down the street," said Miss Ward. "Two officers got out of the van and gave chase on foot."

She said Taylor failed to give way as he reversed out of Selby Street onto Railway Street and then collided with a parked car.

When they removed Taylor from his vehicle he said; "I shouldn't have done that, I'm stupid. I've had a row with my partner and she threw me out."

Gareth Price, defending, said his client had made full admissions and co-operated with the probation service in the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

He said Taylor had had problems with drugs over the years but had made significant progress.

"He is waiting for a place to become available at a drug rehabilitation unit, said Mr Price.

"He feels drugs have ruined his life."

He said the incident was relatively short, less than 30 seconds.

"There was nobody around at the time and while there was a collision damage was minor," said Mr Price.