A BANNED driver who careered through Bolton's streets at "mind-boggling" speeds in a stolen car has been jailed for 18 months.

Bolton Crown Court heard how Paul Dixon lead police on a 20 minute pursuit in the early hours of October 28, travelling at up to 80mph in 30mph limit areas, jumping red lights, driving on the wrong side of the road and across pavements, grass and along narrow back alleys.

Brendan O'Leary, prosecuting told how he even sped the wrong way round Cleggs Lane roundabout before police deployed a stinger across St Helen's Road, near Deane Church Lane, to puncture his tyres

Even then he continued his attempts to get away, narrowly colliding with an oncoming van.

"Both front tyres deflated and came off the wheels and there were sparks coming off the metal rims," said Mr O'Leary.

Dixon, aged 26, of no fixed address, was arrested when the Astra car, which was so badly damaged it was written off, eventually ground to a halt.

The court was told that the Astra had been stolen on October 24 but found by police and returned to its owner on October 26, only to be stolen again the same day.

Kevin Liston, defending, said homeless Dixon had bought the car to use as a place to live and was planning to bed down in it for the night in a side road off St Helen's Road when he saw the police car and panicked.

Dixon pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving whilst banned and without insurance and handling stolen goods.

Recorder Bernadette Baxter heard how he was on licence from prison at the time and has an extensive criminal record, including committing five previous offences of driving whilst banned and two of dangerous driving.

Mr O'Leary said Dixon has a catalogue of personal issues, including mental health problems resulting from drug abuse.

Jailing him for 18 months, Miss Baxter told Dixon, "You went at speeds that are mind-boggling."

She added: "If you continue in this vain, ultimately you will end up killing somebody, but as sure as eggs are eggs, you will end up going to custody time and time again."