Former drug addict father-of-two crashes partner's car

A father-of-two who took his on-and-off partner's car was in a crash with a Mini, which spun round and hit a pedestrian, a court has heard.
The former drug addict defendant must now stay indoors between 7pm and 7am.The former drug addict defendant must now stay indoors between 7pm and 7am.
The former drug addict defendant must now stay indoors between 7pm and 7am.

Stephen Coffey, who only had a provisional licence, had driven off in the Peugeot without his partner's consent to go to his mother's. Both vehicles were damaged in the collision, which was said not to be the defendant's fault.

Burnley magistrates were told ex-convict Coffey has a record for vehicle-taking, excess alcohol, and disqualified driving. He has now been given a four-month curfew after admitting to aggravated vehicle-taking, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, and no insurance on Windy Bank in Colne on March 17th.

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The 44-year-old former drug addict must stay indoors between 7pm and 7am, with the defendant, of Rothesay Road in Brierfield, banned for 12 months and must pay £85 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

A probation officer told the court the Mini pulled out when it was Coffey's right of way. Coffey had a good insight into his offending and regarded his actions as reckless.

The defendant, currently on employment and support allowance due to sciatica, was awaiting an operation so he could go back to work.

Mr Mark Williams, defending, said Coffey had had an extensive record in the past and had served 18 months behind bars. He had since made good progress and had kept himself out of trouble until the recent offences.

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The solicitor said the defendant and his partner had been in a relationship for about 12 years. "They remain in a relationship although they live apart," Mr Williams said. "He didn't have her permission [to take the car] and he shouldn't have driven it."

The solicitor added the Mini spun round after the incident and there was a collision with a pedestrian. Mr Williams said: "The defendant knew that person. He spoke to him and it seemed there wasn't any injury."