A GIGGLING babysitter left her charges, helped herself to a relative's car and went on a drive with three police vehicles in pursuit.

Burnley magistrates heard how teenager Rachel Jones led a 15-minute chase and was found by officers laughing and giggling after smashing into a wall.

The episode had started after a police sergeant came across the 19-year-old broken down and tried to help her bump start the vehicle, but meanwhile ran a computer check on the car.

Jones, shortly afterwards admitted to hospital for psychiatric treatment, was unconditionally bailed to appear for sentence at Crown Court. The pizza factory worker, of Harvey Street, Nelson, had admitted dangerous driving, aggravated motor vehicle taking, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, no insurance and possession of cannabis.

Neil White, prosecuting, said the car belonged to the boyfriend of Jones' aunt. On December 30, Jones had been left babysitting, but she took the vehicle, leaving the children alone.

A police sergeant tried to help Jones bump start the car after finding her broken down, but she drove off at speed when he made a check on the car. A police chase involving three vehicles and lasting 15 minutes followed.

Jones mounted the pavement, swerving across the centre lines in Burnley and made her way towards the M65. By now, two police cars were in pursuit as Jones swerved across both lanes, narrowly missed the central barriers and swerved from side to side as she came off at Junction Eight. A police dog carrier now joined in, as Jones drove on, going into the path of oncoming vehicles.

Mr White said the defendant overtook on a blind bend, crossing the lines and made her way towards Accrington town centre, swerving, speeding up and slowing down.

She then crashed into a wall, ending the chase through "various villages in Lancashire."

Jones seemed to be acting in a strange fashion, laughing and giggling, but although cannabis was found on her, tests had not shown she was affected by it.

Geoff Ireland, defending, said very shortly afterwards Jones had been admitted to hospital and had been receiving psychiatric treatment. She remained under the care of medics.

A production worker at a pizza factory, Jones was currently off work sick.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.