A MAN who stole his mother's car and crashed it had been put under pressure to take a friend's partner to hospital, a court heard.

Burnley magistrates heard how Gerrard Kevan Beier was seen driving erratically around the car park outside Carpet World in Burnley.

His mother had not known the vehicle was missing until she looked out, saw it parked in a different place and noticed it was damaged.

Beier, 36, of Hawk Street, Burnley, admitted aggravated vehicle taking and no insurance on March 23. He was banned for 18 months, fined £100 and was given a nine-week curfew, seven days a week, between 7pm and 7am.

Andrew Robinson, prosecuting, told the court the victim parked near her home and Beier got the keys and took her car.

Mr Robinson said Mrs Beier later looked outside and saw her vehicle parked in a different place to where she left it. The front was damaged.

She called the police and the defendant arrived home heavily drunk. He was arrested.

Sara Lyle, defending, said Beier had spent a night in custody.

No other cars were involved in the accident and nobody was injured. He was genuinely remorseful.

He had been put under pressure to take a friend's partner to hospital.