A YOUNG man who took his brother's car, smashed into a motorist and then ran off, leaving the car still rolling, has won his freedom.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Emran Sajawal, 20, injured driver Jean Yates and caused £1,000 damage to her vehicle after he crashed into her as she pulled out of a street in Blackburn.

He and his passsnger than ran off, leaving the car, which rolled into a gatepost. When he was interviewed, he said he had not been at the wheel because he had had a plaster cast on his arm and wouldn't have been able to drive.

Sajawal, who had spent three weeks in custody after not turning up for his pre-sentence report, was given 70 hours community service and was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Sentencing him, Judge Raymond Bennett said the defendant had told bare-faced lies to the jury and he had only himself to blame for having been sent to detention.

Sajawal, of Kempton Rise, Blackburn, had been convicted by a jury of dangerous driving after a trial. He admitted taking a conveyance without authority, failing to stop after an accident, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and no insurance.

David Pickup, prosecuting, said police had recognised the defendant and had followed him. Sajawal hit Mrs Yates almost head-on and she was injured.

John Woodward, defending, said Sajawal had no previous convictions for such offences. He had a job to go to at Haslingden Balti House and the court could impose either community service or probation.