A WOMAN who took her mother's new car for a spin in the middle of the night and crashed it was given a community order.

Burnley magistrates heard how Rachel Hunt took the keys from her mum's handbag, sneaked out, hit a lamp-post in the vehicle, returned home, put the keys back and went to bed.

The court heard Hunt had lost her home as her mother had thrown her out after the escapade.

Hunt, 22, formerly of Glenroy Avenue, Colne, admitted aggravated vehicle taking, no licence and no insurance. She was given 60 hours unpaid work, banned for 12 months and must pay £60 costs.

Wendy Chappell, prosecuting, said Hunt's mother woke up to find her car had gone.

When the defendant was later arrested and told police she had been out with her friends in Colne and had then taken the car to visit a friend in Barnoldswick.

She said on the way back she hit a lamp-post.

A passing motorist had taken her home. Hunt had no licence and no insurance.

John Nuttall, defending, said Hunt "borrowed" her mother's car and it was something she would always regret.