A MAN whose driving licence had been revoked because of his drug use crashed into another car.

Blackburn magistrates heard in the seven years since his licence was revoked Amir Saeed had applied for it to be reinstated on four occasions and each time it had been refused after he provided a positive drug test.

Saeed, 43, of Palmer Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to driving after revocation of his licence, without insurance and without due care and attention. He was fined, ordered to pay £300 compensation to the driver of the other car involved in the collision and his licence endorsed with nine penalty points.

Gillian Kennaugh, prosecuting, said the defendant's licence had been revoked in 2013. She said he had a "horrific" driving record including six convictions for driving with excess alcohol, two for failing to provide a specimen, five for driving while disqualified and one for driving without due care and attention.

The latest offence happened on St James Road, Blackburn, when Saeed crossed the centre line and collided with an oncoming vehicle. Saeed and the elderly driver of the other vehicle were both injured.

"He later admitted to police that he had purchased the car he was driving after selling another car which would suggest he has been driving on previous occasions," said Ms Kennaugh.

Duncan Nightingale, defending, said another car had started to pull out in front of his client and in swerving to avoid that car he accepted he caused the collision with the oncoming vehicle.

"The suggestion he had been driving before this incident is speculation, there is no evidence," said Mr Nightingale.