A DRIVER had had such a cocktail of drugs before getting behind the wheel he was like a "zombie" and almost unconscious, a court was told.

Burnley Magistrates Court heard how Mohammed Nawaz, 35, was found to have tomazepam, diazepam, ecstasy, MDA, GHB and derivatives of cocaine and cannabis in his system after he smashed into a lamppost.

His behaviour was slammed by a district judge who said he had been a menace to others and could end up in jail. District Judge Peter Ward told the defendant he could have caused serious injury or death if he had hit someone.

Nawaz, of Hargreaves Street, Nelson, admitted driving while unfit through drugs on February 2. He was bailed until July 9 for an all options open pre-sentence report.

Teresa Feeley, prosecuting, told the court at 8.20pm police went to a road accident on Canning Street and found the defendant still sitting in the driver's seat.

He had hit the lamppost on a grass verge. The windscreen of his vehicle was damaged and his forehead was swollen. Nawaz was drowsy and although he was roused, immediately fell back to sleep.

An ambulance crew had difficulty getting a response from the defendant. His speech was slurred and he was unsteady on his feet.

Miss Feeley said at hospital Nawaz told medics he was not suffering any medical problems, was teetotal, was not on medication and was not using drugs. He was examined, subjected to tests and could not stand on one leg.