A DISQUALIFIED driver crashed through railings and a hedge and into a Cliviger field.

Blackburn magistrates heard Benjamin Law, who refused to provide a sample of breath, had driven from Scarborough on the East Coast before the teatime collision on Saturday.

Law, 36, of Seamer Road, Scarborough, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without insurance and failing to provide a specimen for analysis. He was sentenced to eight weeks in prison suspended for two years and ordered to pay £128 victim surcharge and £85 costs. He was banned from driving for five years.

Sazeeda Ismail, prosecuting, said a woman walking her dog just off Burnley Road heard a loud screeching noise behind her and looked round to see a car crash through metal railings and a hedge and ended up in a field.

She went back onto the main road and saw Law get out of the vehicle and told the woman and another witness he didn't want the police calling.

"The other witness said he had seen the defendant crash into the kerb three times before going through the fence and the hedge," said Miss Ismail.

"At the police station he refused to provide a specimen."

Miss Ismail said Law had a history going back 15 years for similar offences, the most recent in September when he was made subject to a community order.

Phillip Brown, defending, said his client accepted he had an unenviable record for similar offences and couldn't complain if he was sent to prison.

He said his client had mental health issues and on Saturday he had suffered a relapse in his condition.

"He felt the need to get away from his home environment and got in his car and drove," said Mr Brown.

"He ended up in an area he has little or no connection with and can't explain what happened to cause the collision."