A LEARNER driver who took his father’s car and didn’t stop for the police was on his way to an emergency, to assist his friend at a birth, a court was told.

Kamran Akbar, 21, had been seen speeding in the Vauxhall Zafira on the M65 just after midnight.

An officer followed the vehicle, but it carried on when he tried to stop it. Akbar only had a provisional licence, Burnley magistrates heard.

Akbar, of Bird Street, Brierfield, admitted taking a vehicle without consent at Brierfield and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, no insurance and failing to stop for a constable, all on September 16.

The defendant was given a 36-hour attendance centre order and was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge. He was banned for 12 months.

Prosecutor Andrew Robinson said police saw the vehicle on the motorway, travelling at 80mph and the speed drew their attention to it.

An officer followed the vehicle and Akbar left at junction 11, at Burnley.

The police then tried to stop the car and the officer put on his emergency lights, but it carried on along Princess Way and turned off into March Street.

The car went a short distance up the street, stopped, the driver’s door opened and the defendant ran off.

Mr Robinson said the officer found out from Akbar’s father his son had been driving and the defendant then owned up.

Daniel Frazer, defending Akbar, said a friend of his lived in March Street and his friend’s partner was giving birth to a child and needed help.

The defendant could have taken a taxi, but because of the perceived emergency, he drove to his friend’s house.

The solicitor added: “His father isn’t very impressed with him.

“He is still building bridges at home.”