A DRUNKEN and banned driver stole a post office van, crashed it and fled the scene leaving his acc-omplice to face the music.

Burnley magistrates heard how joinery student Christopher John France, 24, who was banned a second time for excess alcohol in January, stole the Vauxhall Corsa while a postman was making a delivery in Crawshawbooth.

The defendant, who had a female passenger, went to Haslingden before returning to the village and smashing into a field in a prank which went wrong.

The woman, Janine Brooks, was left with the vehicle after France made off. He went to his brother’s house nearby and was arrested after the pair of them rang police.

France, of Burnley Road, Craw-shawbooth, had earlier admitted aggravated vehicle taking, driving while disqualified, drink-driving, no insurance and delaying a postal packet.

He was given a 12-month community order with super-vision and a four-month curfew, between 7pm and 7am, every day except Wednesday and Thursday, when he is at college.

He was banned for three years, was ordered to take the drink impaired drivers’ programme and must pay £65 costs.

Bench chairwoman Lynn Kemp told him what started as a prank got very quickly out of hand and had very serious consequences. She added: “You were fortunate you didn’t end up seriously injured.”

Andrew Robinson, prosecuting, said the postman was delivering mail in Goodshaw Lane at 1.50pm and left his van with the keys in and ignition running.

He turned round and saw France driving off in the van.

At first he went to look for the vehicle, but could not find it. He flagged down a passing police vehicle and drove around in his own car searching. He spotted the van about an hour later.

Mr Robinson said the postman tried to follow the van and head him off at Folly Terrace, but the defendant did a U turn, crashed the van into a field and it ended up on its roof.

The defendant was arrested about 6.40pm and said he had had a couple of cans since the crash.

He gave a breath test showing 76 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 mililitres of breath – the legal limit is 35.

The court was told Brooks, 18, of Hardman Avenue, Crawshaw-booth, had admitted allowing herself to be carried in a vehicle taken in aggravated circum-stances. She had been given a one- month curfew.

Jeremy Frain, defending, said France was on the threshhold of a jail term, but a significant community penalty would act as a greater deterrent than a short prison sentence.