A DRUNK learner driver, who crashed into a police car during an alcohol-fuelled high speed chase, has been sent to prison.

Provisional licence holder Liam Mullineaux was twice the drink-drive limit when he led police on a dangerous pursuit through Smithills, Halliwell and Astley Bridge into Bolton town centre.

The 27-year-old’s actions behind the wheel of the MG ZR posed such a threat the officers had to call off tailing the car on safety grounds.

Father-of-three Mullineaux admitted dangerous driving, drink driving, driving without insurance and driving without a licence – all in Blackburn Road, Astley Bridge – along with possession of cannabis. He was sentenced at Bolton Crown Court yesterday.

Recorder Michael Hayton said: “This could have been a lot worse.

“Fortunately there was no major accident and nobody was either seriously injured or killed.

“The dangerous driving is bad. There was a long chase, it’s over quite a period of time.”

Jailing him for eight months, the judge said: “I’m not unsympathetic to your problems but you’re going to custody.

“I’m trying to scare you so when you get out of Forest Bank or Strangeways or wherever you’re sent, you don’t want to go back.

“I’m hoping it’s a lesson you learn.”

The chase took place on November 1 at around 8pm after a passer-by concerned about the standard of driving alerted police.

Prosecutor Sarah Johnson said: “The defendant made an emergency stop on Coal Pit Road and drove at speed along Smithills Dean Road, which I understand is partly 30mph, and he is seen to brake very quickly for no reason and then crash into a wall.

“Upon coming to a stop, he asked a member of the public for directions.

“That person also contacted the police because the driver seemed to slur his words.”

Followed by officers, Mullineaux drove through a red light at the junction of Halliwell Road, mounted the pavement and struck a police car while trying to dodge around it, “moving the police vehicle a couple of feet”, Ms Johnson said.

He jumped a second red light at Bridge Street and proceeded the wrong way through a no entry sign.

The police officers tailing him took the decision at this point to pull back for the sake of public safety.

The MG was dumped in Trinity Street in the town centre and three men were seen to make off towards the Sainsbury’s store.

One of them, unemployed Mullineaux, was arrested and a small amount of drugs were found on him. He gave a breath test reading of 83mcg of alcohol compared to a limit of 35mcg.

Nick Ross, for Mullineaux, said: “He had been drinking and had not been thinking straight.

“He has alcoholism and bereavement issues.

“He has had some driving lessons but he only has a provisional licence.

“He understands there is no excuse. He accepts he should never have been driving.”

Recorder Hayton banned Mullineaux – who has another drink-driving conviction from less than 10 years ago – from the road for three years and 10 months and ordered him to sit an extended re-test.