A TEENAGER who had never driven before took his ex-girlfriend’s mum’s car after they had a row.

Blackburn magistrates heard Luke Samuel Farrell went into the house and took the keys before going on a 10 mile “jaunt” which resulted in a crash.

Farrell, 18, of St Hubert’s Road, Great Harwood, pleaded guilty to unauthorised vehicle taking, aggravated by damage caused, driving without a licence and without insurance. He was sentenced to eight weeks in prison suspended for 12 months, made subject to a community order for 12 months with 20 rehabilitation activity days and 60 hours unpaid work, ordered to pay £300 compensation and banned from driving for 12 months.

Alex Mann, prosecuting, said Farrell had split from Chloe Cox three months ago but they met by chance while they were out on Saturday.

“He was upset because she was with someone else and they had a row outside her house,” said Mrs Mann.

“She went to stay somewhere else but later got a message from him saying he had taken her mum’s car. He said he had left it in Park Road.”

There was damage to the car and the owner, Lisa Cox, said it would cost £1,000 to put it right.

“This was the first time he had driven a car and he drove about 10 miles in all,” said Mrs Mann. “He says he can’t recall how the damage occurred.”

Aftab Bakhat, defending, said his client had not just happened across Miss Cox.

“He got a phone call at about 10pm and he went to meet her,” said Mrs Bakhat.

“She showed amorous intentions towards a friend of his in front of him and that caused the row. He went into the house, got the car keys and took the car, despite never having driven before.”