A TEENAGE driver tried twice to ram police vehicles and ended up wedged up against one after hitting a building.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Samuel Horsfall, 19, had taken amphetamine before the chase.

Sentencing him to 18 months jail, Judge Raymond Bennett said if Horsfall carried on that way, he would either kill or badly hurt someone.

Horsfall, of Glenroy Avenue, Colne, admitted dangerous driving, failing to provide a specimen, no licence or insurance. He was banned for three years with an extended retest.

Roger Green, prosecuting, said a police officer started to follow Horsfall but he accelerated through Briercliffe.

His wheels spun and he then drove backwards towards the officer who had to reverse to avoid being rammed.

Horsfall sped off again, drove erratically, causing his car to "snake down the road" and almost lose control.

He went towards Trawden where he hit a building and came to a stop. A passenger ran off, but Horsfall carried on, driving down the wrong side of the road and round a roundabout the wrong way.

On Keighley Road, Colne, he mounted the kerb to avoid an oncoming police vehicle. He then went on to Belgrave Road, where a police transit van was stopped in the middle of the road. Horsfall slowed, mounted the kerb, attempted to ram the van on the footpath and accelerated, trying to force his vehicle through the gap.

The car became wedged but he continued to rev until the engine cut out.

A police officer went over, Horsfall was abusive and struggled. It was obvious he was under the influence of drugs, but a the police station he refused a sample of blood, telling officers: "I have had drugs. That's all you need to know."

Mr Green added Horsfall was currently serving a six-month jail sentence.

Robert Crawford, defending, said Horsfall's driving could not be defended for one moment. It could only be explained, as distinct from excused, by the fact Horsfall had taken amphetamine.

He had been released from custody a couple of days earlier, had been drinking and taking drugs.

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