Lee Ashton

A Preston man has been told to ‘get some stability’ after he bundled his teenage girlfriend into a car following a break up.

Lee Ashton, 20, appeared to accept the break-up when the youngster told him she wanted to end their relationship.

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But minutes later when she left to collect clothes from a friend’s house, he grabbed her and forced her into a stolen car, Preston Crown Court heard.

Earlier that day the 17-year-old had called her dad and asked him to collect her from a friend’s house in Leyland, but by the time he arrived, his daughter was missing.

Ashton drove at high speeds, ignoring the girl’s pleas to be allowed to go home.

Ashton, of Wellington Street, Ashton-on-Ribble, pleaded guilty to common assault and handling stolen goods but no evidence was offered on a charge of kidnap.

Chloe Fordham, prosecuting, said: “Her parents didn’t approve and she had been staying with various friends or sleeping rough. By November last year the relationship had become unmanageable and she resolved to break it up.”

As he bundled the woman into the car, Ashton told her the vehicle had been stolen the day before.

They drove around but when the car ran out of petrol in Moss Side, Leyland, the teenager was able to escape and run to a friend’s house.

John Woodward, defending, said Ashton has spent five months in prison since he was arrested for the offences. He now wants help from the probation service and has been offered a job and secure accommodation.

Recorder Bernadette Baxter, sentencing, said: “You drove around and drove the car in a dangerous manner. 24 hours passed in which her parents and those who loved her were doubtlessly very worried about what was happening to her.”

She handed Ashton a two year community order with 25 days rehabilitation, telling him: “It is important you get some stability in your life.”