Unlicensed driver sped through town centre at up to 50mph

Bolton Crown Court heard how Ryan Hall was spotted by police driving a Fiat Punto on Fletcher Street at 10am on December 23 last year.

Geoff Whelan, prosecuting, said the officer's attention was drawn to the car after he saw it mount a pavement and decided to follow it. He told how, during the pursuit around the streets of Great Lever, 21-year-old Hall mounted a kerb on Houghton Street, forced other vehicles to stop in Shaw Street and narrowly missed hitting parked cars.

Hall, who has no driving licence, drove at speeds of up to 50mph along the 30mph limit busy streets and at Lever Street he lost control of the back end of the car.

"The back fishtailed out and narrowly missed a car coming in the opposite direction," said Mr Whelan.

Turning into Grecian Crescent the Punto was being driven on the wrong side of the road before Hall turned into a dead end street and was forced to a stop.

Hall, of Malton Drive, Deane, was arrested and, when charged, told officers "I apologise."

He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, having no licence or insurance and failing to surrender to custody.

Andrew Costello, defending, stressed that the pursuit had only covered a distance of 0.8 miles.

Sentencing Hall to six months in prison, suspended for 12 months, the Honorary Recorder of Bolton Judge Timothy Clayson said: "There were multiple occasions where people could have been hurt.

"It is only good luck that it was not more serious."

Hall will also be electronically tagged and subject to an 8pm to 6am curfew until May 31 and must undertake 40 days of rehabilitation activities.

He was also banned from holding a driving licence for 14 months after which he will have to take an extended test.

Judge Clayson told him he needs to change his behaviour or he will face lengthy prison sentenced in future.

"You do need to get a grip. Now you are 21 you are fully accountable for what you do," said the judge.