A UNIVERSITY student's attempts to flee police ended when his car tyre burst.

Bolton Crown Court heard how Farhan Jahangir had cannabis in his pocket and panicked when he saw a police car in Higher Swan Lane, Daubhill, at 6.45pm on December 30 last year.

Richard Orme, prosecuting, said 19-year-old Jahangir sped away and ignored the police car's flashing blue lights during a 15 minute pursuit through the residential streets of Bolton.

Jahangir, who is on a business management course at the University of Bolton, drove the Toyota Corolla at speeds of up to 60mph, careering through red lights, overtaking vehicles on the wrong side of the road and driving anti-clockwise around a roundabout.

On two occasions he hit parked vans.

"He turned onto St Helens Road, pulling into the busy carriageway with little or no regard for other road users," said Mr Orme.

During the pursuit around the 30mph limit roads of Daubhill, Great Lever and Burnden Jahangir hit a pavement, damaging his front nearside tyre.

As the tyre shredded, his speed dropped to 30mph as he headed off Morrison Street to Settle Street he was forced to a 2mph crawl, finally colliding with bollards in the centre of the carriageway at the junction of Higher Swan Lane and Moisant Street.

Officers grabbed Jahangir as he got out of the car, but he broke free and ran off before giving up the chase a short distance away.

When searched police found a small bag of cannabis on him.

Mr Orme said Jahangir's brother, who has been a passenger in the car, told police: "I wasn't driving, I told my brother to stop. He hasn't got a licence or insurance."

Jahangir, of Winton Grove, Deane, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, having no licence or insurance and possessing cannabis.

Ellen Shaw, defending, described the crimes as "the immature actions of a young man" who panicked when he saw police.

"He reacted in a way which was clearly unacceptable. He is remorseful and embarrassed," she said.

Miss Shaw added that Jahangir, who has no previous convictions, is addicted to cannabis and uses it daily.

Judge Graeme Smith spared Jahangir immediate jail, sentencing him to four months in prison, suspended for two years.

He must undertake 180 hours unpaid work, take part in rehabilitation activities for 18 days, was fined £100 and banned from holding a driving licence for 18 months after which he must pass an extended driving test.

"You should never have been driving a car when you knew full well you were not entitled to do so," Judge Smith told Jahangir.