APPRENTICE bricklayer Paul Robert Clegg had a night to forget when he went partying in Whalley.

Blackburn magistrates heard that he argued with another man at the party and in frustration kicked out at a parked car.

He then drove off but had only gone 200 yards when he had to stop to change a wheel on his car.

And while he was doing that police who arrived to investigate the damage stopped and breathalysed him.

Clegg, 18, of Thorn Croft, Sabden, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol and criminal damage. He was fined £125 with £50 costs and disqualified from driving for 15 months for the excess alcohol offence and given a conditional discharge for six months for the criminal damage. Clegg agreed to be referred to the drink drivers rehabilitation programme which, if completed successfully, could reduce his ban by up to 25 per cent.

Neil White, prosecuting, said the owner of the car, who lives in Limefield Avenue, Whalley, called the police at 3.15am after hearing two loud bangs.

When interviewed Clegg said he had consumed a large amount of alcohol and said he was that drunk he could not remember what kind of car he had damaged.

Mr White said the reading of 66 against the legal limit of 35 was not particularly high but it was obviously a matter of some concern that Clegg had been so drunk.

Jonathon Taylor, defending, said that after the argument with the other man Clegg had wanted to get away from the area.

"He accepts that he kicked the car and apologises to the car owner," said Mr Taylor.