A 22-YEAR-OLD motorist who knocked down a child aged three drove off with the mother's screams ringing in his ears, a court was told.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Khyam Ahmed Ilyas panicked after sending the boy flying through the air.

He refused to stop for a taxi driver who witnessed the incident and accelerated away at such speed the driver was only able to get part of his registration.

And Philip Potter, prosecuting, said at the time he left the scene Ilyas had no idea how serious the child's injuries were or even if he was still alive.

Ilyas, of Holly Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to failing to stop after an accident, failing to report an accident and driving without insurance.

He was made subject to community supervision for 18 months, ordered to do 150 hours unpaid work, banned from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay £300 costs.

Mr Potter said the incident happened in Maple Street in May.

He said the child ran out from behind parked cars and there was no suggestion it was the defendant's fault.

The taxi driver who saw the incident got out of his car to help and when he saw the car accelerating away held up his hand for it to stop.

"The defendant drove past him and left the scene," said Mr Potter.

He said that using the partial registration number the police were able to trace the last keeper of the vehicle, which was found burned out the day after the incident, and the trail eventually led them to Ilyas.

He denied any knowledge of the incident and maintained his not guilty plea until the day of trial.