BANNED car thief James Jools stole the BMW 320 which ploughed into Diane Kennedy just hours before the devastating crash.

Jools, and accomplice Karl Atkinson, 19, raided two homes in Accrington during the night, as their victims slept.

They took the car keys, drove off in the vehicles and stole petrol from filling stations.

Andrew Smith, prosecuting, said at about 4.30pm, on July 14, the defendants arrived at a house in Accrington, where a friend of Atkinson’s lived.

Atkinson was bragging about his new Rover MG.

Jools was sitting in the BMW.

At about 6.30pm, Atkinson was arrested at the property. He was drunk and the Rover keys were found.

The MG, which was damaged, was recovered.

Mr Smith told Burnley Crown Court that at about 7pm, police became aware of the stolen BMW in Platt Close, Accrington.

They followed it and pulled alongside, but Jools sped off. Officers tried to block the mouth of a junction in Chester Street, Accrington, and the defendant then reversed at speed and hit a police vehicle.

Jools made off with his wheels screeching and ended up in Union Road, Oswaldtwistle.

Police, who described the defendant’s speed as ‘considerable’ decided to stay a reasonable distance behind.

When they arrived in Union Road, they were met by a cloud of smoke and the remnants of a heavy collision.

The prosecutor said Jools hit Ms Kennedy’s car, ran off, but was detained shortly after.

After the incident, Ms Kennedy had to move back in with her parents as she struggled to do everyday tasks.

The defendants, who shared the same house in Bishop Street, Accrington, each admitted two counts of burglary, two of theft and one of making off without payment.

Atkinson, a ‘three strike ‘ burglar facing a minimum of three years behind bars, was in breach of two suspended terms of detention.

He had also been convicted of a separate offence of common assault, after he punched a woman, and had also admitted drink driving, no insurance and no licence. He was sent to custody for three-and-a-half years and disqualified for 18 months.

His co-defendant Jools also pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified and no insurance.

He was banned for five years, jailed for four and must take an extended driving test.

For Atkinson, Richard Bennett said he had been drinking too much.

Kevin Preston, defending Jools, said he expressed his ‘great remorse’ for his actions.