A MOTORIST driving along a Burnley avenue at 10.30am was shocked to see a car coming towards him at between 60 and 70 mph.

Blackburn magistrates heard the witness could see the car "leaning" because of the speed it was doing as it took a bend and he panicked because he though it was going to hit him.

Instead the Audi collided with a parked van, shunting it into a tree, causing extensive damage to front and rear, and spinning it through 180 degrees.

Sajid Khan, 28, of Grey Street, Burnley, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving on Windermere Avenue. He was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison suspended for two years and ordered to do 100 hours unpaid work and pay £300 compensation to the van owner, £700 costs and £115 victim surcharge. He was banned from driving for 18 months and must pass an extended re-test before his licence is returned.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said Khan was driving a powerful Audi A8 which he crashed into the parked van. Mark Higgins, the owner of the van was working nearby when he heard a loud bang and came out to find his vehicle had been extensively damaged.

"Khan became aggressive and squared up to Mr Higgins asking him what was his problem," said Miss Allan. "The defendant then said it was his dad's car and he would kill him."

Miss Allan said Mr Higgins was self employed and some of his tools, which were in the van, were damaged.

"This incident put him out of work until the insurance claim was settled," said Miss Allan.

Mark Williams, defending, said his client had been arrested on suspicion of drink driving but had never been charged with that.

"He hadn't been drinking but he accepts he went over the speed limit in this big powerful car," said Mr Williams. "He says he was distracted by his passenger and hit the front of the van."

Mr Williams said his client's father was not impressed and the incident had caused a lot of issues at the time.

"His father has now allowed him back into the family home," said Mr Williams.

He said Khan had matured over the last six months following the birth of his first child and he desperately wanted to stay out of custody.