TWO men allegedly took part in a raid on a depot making off with sportswear worth almost £2,000 a jury was told.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Christopher Brooks, 42, one of the men said to be involved, then sped off in a people carrier pursued by police and almost ran down a schoolgirl in a hospital car park.

Brooks, of Albany Road, Revidge, Blackburn, denies dangerous driving.

Together with co-defendant John Riley, 43, of Waterloo Close, Blackburn, he also pleads not guilty to burgling Ascos General Supplies on Walker Park in the town and an alternative allegation of theft of the clothing worth £1,800.

Charlotte Crangle, prosecuting, told the jury an alarm went off at the firm and an employee, Robert Norris, found Riley near a fire escape.

Riley started running but was detained close to the security lodge and police were called.

The people carrier then drove towards the security gates and an attempt was made to close them, but the vehicle got through. Riley dashed towards the car but was again detained.

Miss Crangle said police arrested Riley and two officers in a car followed the people carrier with blue lights flashing and sirens activated.

The vehicle made no attempt to stop and clocked up 65 mph in 30 and 40 mph zones.

He then allegedly drove into the grounds of Queen's Park Hospital and mounted a pavement, forcing a schoolgirl to have to jump out of the way.

The vehicle went into a dead end and the driver got out and ran away.

He was chased and detained and it turned out to be Brooks, the court was told.

Proceeding