POLICE who spotted a vehicle being driven at high speed on Manchester Road, Accrington, turned round and gave chase.

Blackburn magistrates heard when he stopped children's play centre owner Mohammed Sadiq failed a breath test.

Sadiq, 28, of Ashworth Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol. He was made subject to a community order for 18 months with 70 hours unpaid work and a 28-day curfew between 7pm and 7am. He was banned for three years and ordered to pay £350 costs and £90 victim surcharge.

The court was told Sadiq was the owner of a play centre which was due to reopen in the near future after Covid restrictions had forced its closure and Deputy District Judge Tony Watkin said because of his position Sadiq should know better.

"Your clients and their children are the very people whose lives are put at risk by drink drivers," said Deputy District Judge Watkin.

"This is your second offence and you have come very close to going to prison."

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said police spotted Sadiq driving a BMW at speed at 2.30am. He stopped outside his home address where he failed a roadside test and was arrested.

Miss Allan said Sadiq had originally pleaded not guilty on the basis his drink had been spiked, had then changed his plea to guilty after which he told the author of a pre-sentence report he had not been the driver.

Richard Prew, defending, said during the Covid pandemic his client had been forced to close the play centre.

"He has racked up £100,000 worth of debt for his business during the pandemic so financially he is not in a good place," said Mr Prew.