A MOTORIST involved in a 'race' through Rossendale with another driver has been jailed for 10 months after he smashed into a car and left a woman injured.

Irfan Ahmed, 23, whose driving was described by witnesses as 'suicidal' had been clocking up to 60mph on the 30mph Burnley Road, Bacup.

He then he hit Julie Johnson after overtaking and clipping the wheels of a lorry.

Burnley Crown Court was told Ahmed had failed his driving theory test seven times, so had no licence or insurance and lied to police about who he was.

His opponent, Azhar Mahmood, 29, who was said to have told Ahmed: 'Catch me if you can' as the pair left a shop, was at the wheel of his sister's Mercedes.

Ahmed was in a Volkswagon Golf.

Miss Johnson, who had to be cut out of her car, had 'thought she was going to die'. She lost consciousness, suffered post-traumatic distress after her ordeal and was in hospital several days. Her vehicle was written off.

Ahmed, of Colne Road, Burnley, admitted dangerous driving, last October 22, attempting to pervert the course of justice, no licence and no insurance.

Mahmood, of Reedley Road, Burnley, pleaded guilty to careless driving and was spared disqualification.

Sentencing Ahmed, Judge Jonathan Gibson said: "There is widespread public concern about people driving without insurance, without a licence and in highly dangerous manners like this and it seems to me that a custodial sentence is inevitable."

Ahmed, who has previously been convicted of giving false information for a driving offence, was banned for three years and must take an extended test.

Mahmood received nine points and was fined £850, with a £15 victim surcharge and £150 costs.

Friorella Brereton, prosecuting, told the hearing the smash occurred at about 5.30pm, when the victim was travelling home from work through Weir.

Ahmed was said by a witness to be going at a 'colossal' speed before he hit Miss Johnson, spinning both vehicles round. Another driver said the Golf 'came out of nowhere'.

For Ahmed, Mark Stuart said he accepted he could have been travelling at up to 60mph.

Defending Mahmood, Tina Landale said: "He doesn't believe he was racing, but he accepts he was speeding."