AN UNINSURED driver careered through Bolton town centre in a bid to escape police who spotted him doing an illegal u-turn.

Bolton Crown Court heard how Qasim Hussain refused to stop his Honda Civic car after he was seen in Bradshawgate at 10.15pm on Saturday, February 1.

Denise Fitzpatrick, prosecuting, told how he sped through the town centre streets at up to 50mph, almost losing control of the vehicle several times, going through red lights, driving on the wrong side of the road and forcing other motorists to brake to avoid a collision.

The police pursuit ended when 19-year-old Hussain abandoned the car on Broadford Road, Deane, and ran off.

Police found him huddled in a corner against a wall and he admitted he had fled because he knew he had no insurance.

Hussain, a labourer, of Armadale Road, Deane, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and driving without insurance.

Recorder Simon Killeen sentenced Hussain to eight months in a young offenders institution, suspended for two years. He also has to do 150 hours unpaid work, take part in a new direction activity course,pay £360 prosecution costs and a £100 victim surcharge.

Recorder Killeen told Hussain: “This was an absolutely appalling piece of driving.

“You were seriously putting at risk the lives of pedestrians as you drove around the streets at grossly excessive speeds.”