A BURGLAR who crashed a stolen rare Porsche on the M61 after a 100mph police chase has been jailed.

Lewis Lowe stole the high-powered Porsche 911 Carrera GTS in a break-in at a house in Oldham before using it to speed along the motorway as he was chased by the cops.

He eventually crashed after losing control on the Kearsley spur of the M61, smashing into a bramble-covered embankment.

Lowe then tried to run away, scratching his face on the brambles as he fled, but was caught by police and arrested.

Lowe broke into the house in Woods Lane, Dobcross, Oldham, on Friday, January 23.

The homeowner was skiing in Austria at the time but had installed a tracker on his 2011 Porsche that alerted him to the fact it was moving while he was on holiday.

The tracking company also called police and the vehicle was clocked doing speeds of more than 100mph on the M62, then the M60 before it was picked up by Greater Manchester Police's tactical crime unit in Stretford.

The Bolton News:

Police then began chasing Lowe, who was still driving at more than 100mph, before he crashed on the motorway.

Despite the high speeds, Lowe's only injuries were scratches from the brambles as he tried to run off.

Police said it was "miraculous" that he did not kill himself or anyone else.

He was arrested and several stolen items were recovered, but the car, which is worth about £60,000, is likely to be a write-off.

Lowe, aged 24, of Rayner Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, pleaded guilty to burglary and dangerous driving at an earlier hearing, and was tolday jailed for two years at Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester.

Det Con Adam Frank said: "It is a miracle that Lowe did not kill either himself or someone else.

"He drove in such a reckless way and at such dangerous speeds that if he had crashed into another car, I have no doubt we could be talking today about a fatality.

"He also showed no signs of slowing down or giving himself up until he crashed into an embankment, suffering only the indignity of some scratches from the brambles he tried to run through and the cuff marks when we arrested him.

"I am pleased to see Lowe behind bars, not least because he is a burglar who could still be out there today targeting people's homes.

"I am sure the streets are much safer with this reckless and foolhardy individual behind bars.

"But also for the family who have suffered tremendously from Lowe's actions.

"He invaded the sanctity of their home, stole their property and wrecked a very expensive car.

"I know from speaking to them just how traumatic this has been for them, to the point where the three children have been so badly shaken up they refuse to now stay in their own home.

"That is the type of crippling effect burglars like Lowe can have so I am really pleased he has been convicted and is now firmly behind bars where he belongs."