A BANNED driver who sped off when he was spotted by a police patrol eventually crashed into a lamppost.

Blackburn magistrates heard the officer saw Mohammed Laheri get out of his vehicle and run off down an embankment but he was quickly caught.

Laheri, 26, of Tenby Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified, without due care and attention, without insurance and while unfit through the cocaine derivative, benzoylegonine. He was bailed for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Stacey Morrow, prosecuting, said an officer was driving on Lambeth Street, Blackburn, at 4.40am when the defendant's vehicle crossed his path.

"The vehicle appeared to be speeding and the officer activated his siren and lights and tried to catch up with him," said Miss Morrow.

"He lost sight of the other vehicle briefly but came around a corner and saw the car had crashed into a lamppost."

When he was arrested Laheri said to the officer: "I've taken a load of drugs."

Miss Morrow said Laheri had been convicted of dangerous driving in 2018 which meant he was banned until he passed an extended re-test.

Daniel Frazer, defending, said his client could not explain why he had been driving at 4am on Christmas Day.

"All he can say is that he was in a dark place at the time," said Mr Frazer.

He said four and a half weeks ago his client had fallen off a wall and ended up in hospital.

"There was a man in the bed opposite who was paralysed from the waist down," said Mr Frazer.

"He decided that was a sign from God that he had been given a second chance. He has a different approach to life now."