A DRIVER who injured three people when he drove through a crowd outside a club, has been jailed for nine months.

Burnley Crown Court heard how father-to-be Simon Spencer, 23, weaved and reversed through the group in the early hours incident, in which one victim's legs were under his Golf GTI.

Another complainant suffered epilepsy and could have died if he had suffered a head injury.

Sentencing Spencer, Recorder Quentin Querelle said he accepted he did not deliberately try to injure people and it was fortunate nobody was seriously hurt because of his erratic behaviour behind the wheel.

The defendant, of Moorhead Street, Colne, had earlier admitted dangerous driving, last March. He was banned from driving for two years and must take an extended driving test.

William Baker, prosecuting, said a charity evening had been held at the Earby Sports and Social Club in aid of cancer research and in the early hours a number of people gathered outside.

A confrontation followed between a friend of the defendant and a group of men and one of the group, Mark Turnbull, told Spencer to get in his car and go home.

The defendant got in his vehicle, got out a baseball bat and waved it aggressively at the group. Mr Turnbull was punched by another man and fell to the ground by the side of the road.

Spencer got in his car, reversed back at speed and hit Mr Turnbull, who ended up with his legs under the vehicle.

Mr Baker said Spencer drove away and then came back and spun round, clipping the knee of another man who was knocked over.

Spencer then went off and came back again to where five or six people were standing on the pavement.

Spencer drove on to the pavement and people scurried away to avoid being hit but Mr Turnbull and another man Richard Beckwith were knocked over.

The defendant then picked up his friend, drove at the group again and then made off.

Paul Hague, defending, said Spencer did not accept he deliberately drove at anybody but he did acknowledge his driving was dangerous.