A drunken teenager who stole his friend's mum's car drove it to Manchester and back before crashing it - almost hitting a neighbour, a court was told.

Burnley magistrates heard how "upset" Sam Paul Duffy, 18, who was almost twice the limit after lager and cider, had committed similar offences last September.

The defendant, who could have ended up behind bars, kept his liberty. Duffy, of Hill View, Hall Carr, Rawtenstall, was given 120 days in jail, suspended for 12 months, with 12 months supervision and 120 hours unpaid work. He was also banned for three years, fined £120 and must pay £60 costs.

Duffy admitted driving whilst disqualified, aggravated vehicle taking, driving with excess alcohol and no insurance.

Sue Campbell, prosecuting, told the court last December 9, the defendant had gone to visit a friend. He was upset because he and his girlfriend had split up and after he left, the friend noticed her mother's Mini Cooper had disappeared.

When the mother returned home, the pair went to look for him and found the car crashed into a neighbour's house. The neighbour, who had been walking his dog, was there and Duffy had narrowly missed him.

Mrs Campbell said the defendant struggled and had to be restrained. He gave tests, the lower of which showed 54 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 mililitres of breath - the legal limit is 35.

Brian Walsh, defending, said the offences were not pre-planned. Duffy, who was now back with his girlfriend, had gone to unload his troubles on the friend and was still at a loss to explain why he did what he did.

Mr Walsh added the defendant, who was due to start a college course in joinery, had shown great remorse. He went on : "He is very aware how his foolish behaviour has brought him to the brink of custody. This has been a salutory experience for him."