A 20-YEAR-OLD Blackburn man has become the first in Lancashire to receive a new sentence aimed at tackling offending among 18 to 20-year-olds.

Matthew James Henry Swindlehurst has been made subject to an Intensive Control and Change Programme which is described as a "tough and effective" alternative to short-term custody.

Swindlehurst, of Sandwich Close, pleaded guilty to driving without due care, while disqualified and without insurance was made subject to a 12 month community rehabilitation programme, ordered to do 80 hours community punishment and made subject to a curfew between 10 pm and 7 am for four months.

The order includes at least 18 hours structure intervention each week and the aim is for offenders to develop self-control; to think through the effects of their behaviour; to develop moral awareness of the effects of anti-social behaviour; to develop skills to help avoiding offending by resisting the influence of others; and to develop skills to resolve their programmes.

Blackburn with Darwen is one of three pilot projects for the ICCP in England and Wales.

The court heard that Swindlehurst, who had four previous disqualifications, was chased by police after making a hand-brake turn.

He jumped out of his car while it was still moving in Market Street and was chased down a back alley. He was eventually arrested after climbing into a back yard.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said that since the offences in May Swindlehurst had found a job, become involved in a relationship and had not re-offended. "He has got his life into some kind of order and the proposed punishment should help to continue that trend," said Mr Taylor. "It is certainly not a soft option."