A TRIP round the block in his father's car proved costly for legal student Ifraz Khan.

Blackburn magistrates heard how the 18-year-old provisional licence holder panicked when he saw a police officer patrolling on foot.

When the officer signalled him to stop Khan sped off with wheels spinning and smoke coming from the tyres of the car.

Khan, 18, of Audley Range, Blackburn, admitted driving without insurance and without a licence and failing to stop for an officer and was fined a total of £255 with £35 costs.

He was also banned from driving for six months.

Tom Snape, prosecuting, said an officer stepped into the road and indicated to the driver to stop after hearing the car come round the corner with tyres screeching and the engine revving.

Bashrat Ditta, defending, said Khan should have been going to the mosque with his father for afternoon prayers.

"His father was upstairs getting ready and had left his car keys on the mantelpiece," said Mr Ditta. "In a moment of madness he took the keys and drove round the block.

"When he saw the police he panicked and he now accepts it was an act of sheer stupidity."

Mr Ditta said that Khan drove straight home and put the keys back before leaving the house.

When police knocked on the door shortly after his father was totally unaware the keys had been moved, let alone the car.

Khan phoned the police station and went in the following day to be charged.

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