A MOTHER of two who knocked her ex-partner off his bike with her car then drove off, a court was told.

Burnley Magistrates heard how learner driver Janice Evans, 25, had had an eight-year relationship with Darren Wearden and had had problems with him in the past.

Evans, of Bevan Place, Nelson, admitted failing to stop and report an accident, having no insurance and no licence.

She was fined £175, with £50 costs and had her provisional licence endorsed by eight points.

Andrew Creswell, prosecuting, told the court the defendant's former partner was on his mountain bike and was turning right at a junction in Nelson.

He saw the defendant's car some distance away and thought he had sufficient time to make the turn. He was then struck from behind and knocked to the ground.

Evans reversed the vehicle and drove off. Police were contacted and the defendant was interviewed.

She admitted she was the driver responsible for the collision and told officers she had panicked and driven off.

Nick Cassidy, defending, said the relationship between Evans and Mr Wearden was not good and she had had problems with him in the past.

The defendant was now in a new relationship and was due to be married in December.

The defendant, who had a provisional licence and had been taking lessons, had used her friend's car to go and get some milk from a shop. She accepted it was a foolish decision.

Mr Cassidy said while Evans was on the road, she spotted Mr Wearden.

She tried to take a different route and then attempted to go a different way back.

The defendant then went to her friend's house after the collision and police were called.She made full admissions.

The solicitor said Evans had not been in trouble since 1999, the offence was totally out of character and she apologised for any injury.

Mr Cassidy added Evans' new boyfriend was in the Armed Forces and she was due to go and live in Germany.