A 24-YEAR-OLD Clitheroe man took a friend’s car and crashed it while his mate was sleeping.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Thomas Pickering parked the write off in a back alley and returned the keys to where his friend had left them but he had already woken, discovered they were missing and alerted police.

Pickering, of Shawbridge Street, pleaded guilty to taking a car without consent, driving while disqualified and without insurance.

He was banned for 12 months, made subject to community supervision, ordered to do 80 hours unpaid work and pay £2,000 to Simon Berry.

Emma Kehoe, prosecuting, said the two friend’s were at Pickering’s home and had a few drinks.

Mr Berry fell asleep and Pickering took the opportunity to take his car for a drive.