A FATHER-to-be gave police the wrong name because he didn't want to miss the birth of his son, Burnley magistrates heard.

John Timothy Kershaw, 30, who had earlier been spotted driving under the influence of illicit and prescribed drugs, knew there was a warrant out for his arrest and thought he might be remanded in custody, .

Kershaw, convicted of a string of motoring allegations, was put on probation for 12 months, told by the bench he was being given his last chance and it was hoped he was going to change his ways.

Kershaw, of Hobart Street, Burnley, was disqualified from driving for two years.

He was convicted of driving while unfit through drugs, resisting or obstructing a constable, three allegations of no insurance, three of driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and three of no test certificate.

Neil White, prosecuting, told the court police had a report of an apparently drink driver on Burnley Retail Park.

Kershaw appeared unsteady on his feet and a doctor noted his speech was slurred. He was drowsy and had multiple injection marks on both elbows. Kershaw admitted he had taken sleeping tablets, opiates, methadone, amphetamine and prescription-type drugs. A large number of drugs were in his system at the time.

On another occasion, Kershaw was in his car in Burnley town centre. He gave his brother's details because he knew a warrant was outstanding for his arrest.

Neil Suleman, defending, said Kershaw had wanted to be present when his child was born. He accepted it was wrong to give false details and told police his real identity on the way to the police station.

He said Kershaw assumed he was all right and did not deliberately flout the law.

The defendant had been taking drugs since he was 17 and the vast majority of his offending was drug-related.

Mr Suleman urged the court to give Kershaw, whose baby was now 10 days old, a chance to change.

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