A DRUG-ADDICTED car thief pursued by police smashed into a house and caused a gas pipe to rupture.

Burnley Crown Court heard how banned Glen Anthony Kennedy, 30, who had earlier taken an overdose -- had been driving on the pavement, couldn't get out of the vehicle and was promptly arrested.

He had pinched the car from Burnley General Hospital car park after helping himself to the owner's handbag.

Kennedy, of Fir Street, Nelson, was sent to jail for a total of 15 months by Judge Raymond Bennett.

He was resentenced for a community rehabilitation order imposed in April for driving whilst disqualified and not having insurance and admitted aggravated vehicle taking, theft and driving whilst disqualified.

He was also banned for a year and must take an extended re-test.

Neil Standage, prosecuting, said the victim had gone to visit a friend in hospital on June 15 and they went for a walk, leaving her handbag in the room. When she returned she found the bag gone.

She immediately reported the theft to the police and began cancelling credit and cash cards and went to check on her house, leaving her car at the hospital.

When she returned, she realised the vehicle had been stolen.

The car keys had been in her handbag.

Mr Standage said police were later on Daneshouse Road, Burnley, and began to follow the stolen car, with sirens, blue lights and headlights activated.

The car accelerated, went through a Give Way junction, drove on the pavement for about 75 metres and then stopped.

As officers approached, the vehicle sped off, lost control, veered across the road, mounted the pavement and hit the front of a house, causing an external gas pipe to rupture.

Kennedy couldn't get out and was arrested. The bank cards were recovered.

The defendant, who had been ordered off the roads until March 14 2003, claimed he had not been notified.

Roger Baldwin, defending, said Kennedy had been addicted to amphetamine for many years.

It was the first time he had ever taken a car. No pedestrians and only one other moving vehicle were in the area so nobody was put at risk.