A TEENAGER careered through the centre of Farnworth at speeds of up to 80mph in a stolen Audi S3.

The car, which had been stolen in Hale, was spotted by police on the motorway and, at the Kearsley roundabout, officers tried to stop it by using a stinger.

But only one of the tyres deflated and 19-year-old Jordan Braithwaite then led police on a six-minute high-speed chase through the area.

At Bolton Crown Court, Braithwaite, of Parkfield Road, Great Lever was sentenced to 14 months in detention after admitting dangerous driving, driving while banned, aggravated vehicle taking and having no insurance.

Recorder Andrew Nuttall told him: "Quite frankly it's a miracle that no one was seriously injured or killed — no thanks to you.

"This was a very, very bad piece of driving. Police officers going about their duty on behalf of the public were putting their own lives at risk trying to stop you."

Simon Nichol, prosecuting, told the court that the Audi had been stolen at 3.30am on September 17 during a burglary in Hale.

Twelve hours later police in an unmarked car spotted Braithwaite driving the vehicle on the M60 and covertly followed it onto the M61 and A666 where colleagues were waiting at the Kearsley roundabout with a stinger.

"One of the tyres was deflated but nevertheless the defendant drove off," said Mr Nichol.

A pursuit through the centre of Farnworth and residential streets, which had speed limits of 30mph, followed.

The court was shown footage of the pursuing police car travelling at 80mph but unable to keep up with the Audi, driving on the wrong side of the road and ignoring two red traffic lights.

"It shows children on bicycles who you literally roared past," Recorder Nuttall told the defendant.

Braithwaite was arrested after crashing into railings in a cul-de-sac on Coniston Grove, Little Hulton, and attempting to run off.

Nicholas Ross, defending, stressed that Braithwaite had not been involved in the burglary, but had agreed to move the vehicle from Wythenshawe for a £50 payment and had panicked when he saw police.

"His driving was highly inadvisable and extremely reckless," he said.

He described Braithwaite, a fork lift truck driver, who lives with his partner and their 20-month-old child as immature.

"He wishes me to say, on his behalf, that he feels ashamed and embarrassed," said Mr Ross.

But Recorder Nuttall refused Mr Ross's pleas to spare Braithwaite custody.

"This offence is far too serious and demands that you pay the penalty for it," he told Braithwaite, who was also also banned from holding a driving licence for two years.

Visit theboltonnews.co.uk to view footage of the pursuit.