A man who had previously been detained under the Mental Health Act has had his sentence deferred so a judge can monitor his progress.
Robert MacIntosh, 31, of Brown Street West, Colne, pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court earlier this year to being a passenger in a car knowing the vehicle had been taken without consent.
The offence relates to an incident on April 24, in which a taxi driver left his vehicle running in Railway Street, Burnley, which was spotted by MacIntosh's younger brother, Harry, who got in the vehicle and proceeded to drive away.
Harry MacIntosh turned into the main road and headed up the M65 towards Nelson and Colne.
He returned to Burnley around an hour and a half later, when the stolen vehicle was then spotted by police.
A high-speed chase ensued, along Padiham Road and down multiple side streets to the left of the road, with Harry MacIntosh’s top speed estimated to be around 80mph in a 20mph zone by the pursuing officer.
MacIntosh then crashed the taxi into a parked car, the noise of which alerted the owners to come outside and witness the damage.
Robert MacIntosh admitted to being a passenger in the car but due to the state of his mental health, Judge Sara Dodd at Burnley Crown Court deferred his sentence for four months.
She said it was clear he had been making progress on some new medication and told him to continue taking it.
She released him on the condition he carry on taking his medication, he stay at an address approved by his probation officer, and he co-operate fully with the probation service.
Judge Dodd said: "Comply with these conditions and I will not send you to prison. If you don't comply I will send you to prison."
MacIntosh is next required to appear at court on October 20.
Share