A THIEF who took a car and crashed into a tree in a "wild drunken rampage" ended up smashing his nose as well, Burnley magistrates heard.

Christopher Little, 21, lost control of the £200 Vauxhall Astra on a bend before the collision. He then abandoned the vehicle after writing it off, the court was told.

Little, of New Market Street, Colne, was warned by the bench that custody was not being ruled out.

The defendant admitted aggravated vehicle taking and asked for five offences to be considered. He was bailed to April 29, for a pre-sentence report.

The justices told Little he could have killed or injured somebody.

Sue Campbell, prosecuting, said a number of vehicles were stolen overnight in the Barnoldswick area on March 14/15.

The defendant took the Astra from Church Street and it was later found abandoned on Red Lane, Colne.

He told police he and an accomplice had bent the door frame of the car outwards, climbed in and then removed the casing around the steering column.

Mrs Campbell said Little admitted he had been the driver.