Drug user who took his dad's car without permission 'didn't know' how it ended up damaged

Ubhaid Rahman (33) was banned from using the Peugeot and wasn't insured. He took the keys for his vehicle and drove off because, he said, he had been out with friends and had left his wallet in their vehicle.

He claimed he checked his bank account online, found his credit cards had been used soon after and went to get the wallet back.

Burnley magistrates were told how Rahman told police he didn't know how his father's car came to be damaged.

Miss Parveen Akhtar, prosecuting, told the court the defendant's father had struggled with him because of his drinking behaviour.

Rahman's mother was awoken at 5-30am, to find the car had gone. The police found it and it appeared to have collided with other cars. The defendant ran off and was caught after a short chase. A breath test was negative.

Miss Akhtar said Rahman was interviewed. She continued: "He says he doesn't get on with his father. He says he is a cocaine user, but had not taken any that particular night."

Mr David Norman, defending, said this was Rahman's first criminal conviction. His father had taken him off the insurance after a fall-out earlier this year.

The defendant had been out with friends, he had left his wallet in the car and found out his credit cards had been used. The solicitor continued: "He was very upset. He took his father's car without his permission. There was some kind of accident and he was then stopped by the police. Stupidly, he decided he would try and get away, but it was a very short chase. He apologises for that."

Rahman, of Heath Street, Burnley, admitted taking a vehicle without consent and not having insurance, on June 11th. He was fined £450, with a £45 victim surcharge and £85 costs and was given six points on his licence.