A DRIVER who sped through Bolton at up to 120mph in a stolen car has been jailed for a year.

Preston Crown Court heard how Jamil Rabbani was at the wheel and police had to eventually abandon their chase as his driving was so dangerous.

The Ford Focus, which was one of two vehicles stolen from a car dealership in Carnforth, Lancashire, was spotted by police on the M61 slip-road at Rivington at 2pm on August 14.

Recorder Gary Woodhall was played dash-cam footage from a police car which showed the 26-year-old, of Harlech Street, Leeds, weaving in and out of traffic near Horwich and taking to the hard shoulder at 100mph as he tried to shake off police.

"Rabbani undertook a number of vehicles, including a coach, and he accelerated to speeds in excess of 120mph," said Karen Brookes, prosecuting. "He failed to stop for the officer and went past junctions 4 for Walkden and 5 for Kearsley.

"He began to swerve between lanes, undertaking and overtaking slow-moving vehicles. He returned to the hard shoulder in excess of 100mph."

The court heard Lancashire Police even called for helicopter back-up during the pursuit. Rabbani eventually abandoned the vehicle in Grosvenor Street, Kearsley, and ran off after stashing the keys underneath a nearby car.

When he was arrested, he denied driving the vehicle and claimed that he had been at the Trafford Centre with his girlfriend.

However, he later pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving and without insurance.

The court heard how Rabbani is the sole carer for his grandmother, who suffers dementia.

But he has more than 50 previous convictions, including for a number of motoring offences and spent time in a young offenders institute for aggravated vehicle taking in 2007.

Rabbani was also banned from driving for 18 months and must sit an extended retest if he wants to drive again.

The other stolen vehicle, a Seat Ibiza, was allegedly driven by a 14-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

The boy has not been charged with any offence to date.