Joyriders stole and crashed nurse's car

1:51pm Wednesday 10th October 2007

A NURSE'S car stolen from the Royal Blackburn Hospital ended up a write-off after joy riders crashed it into wrought iron gates and a lamp-post.

Blackburn magistrates heard the culprits ran off into woods after being spotted by police.

But the driver was spotted hiding in a bush by an officer who described how he jumped into the shrubbery to detain him.

Liam Daniel Thomas, 19, of Hastings Close, Shadsworth, pleaded guilty to taking a car without consent aggravated by damage caused, driving without due care, with excess alcohol and without insurance.

Adam Lawson, 22, of Cornwall Avenue, Knuzden, pleaded guilty to taking a vehicle without consent aggravated by damage caused.

They were both remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Claire Grant, prosecuting, said the car involved belonged to student nurse who had parked it outside the hospital while she was working.

The car crashed in Brandy House Brow four hours later and the police were alerted.

An officer saw the car as he was stationary at traffic lights and followed it into Aintree Drive where it hit a kerb, damaging the front wheel assembly.

Thomas, who was driving, and Lawson ran from the vehicle into nearby woodland and initially escaped.

But while one officer stayed with the car the other drove round to the other side of the woods where he again saw the defendants who again fled into the woods.

Mrs Grant said the officer chased the driver who eventually hid in a bush.

"However the officer saw him and in his own words jumped in after him," said Mrs Grant.

As he was arresting Thomas Lawson walked past and he was also arrested.

Mrs Grant said the insurance company had valued the car at £4,200 and written it off and there was £460 worth of damage to the gates.

Sian Hall, defending, said her clients were full of remorse.

"Neither of them have done anything like this before," she said.