A 'MADMAN' driver who sent children scattering in a play area as he drove around in circles has been spared an immediate prison sentence.

Michael Goodridge did donuts, with tyres smoking, as primary school children fled out of his way in Rumworth Park on May 11 last year.

He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and, at Bolton Crown Court, the Honorary Recorder of Bolton Judge Timothy Clayson, told him: "It was very dangerous. You scared the living daylights out of the children and others."

READ MORE: Court hears how children fled driver

Sean Batterton, prosecuting, told how witness Dawn Thornber arrived at her home at Rumworth Park Lodge to find Goodridge sitting in an Astra on her driveway. On his lap was tin foil and he was rolling something.

He eventually agreed to her request to move the car but, as she tried to take a picture of its registration number, he suddenly reversed the car towards her before speeding off into the Rumworth Park play area.

Ms Thornber heard a child screaming.

"The young girl screaming was in the middle of the open area drawing on tarmac with chalk," said Mr Batterton, who added that witnesses described Goodridge as "driving like a madman".

Around a dozen children, aged up to 11, were at the open play area who, during the 30 second incident, had to run out of the car's way.

"It was like he was driving at the people and, at the last moment, swerved out of the way," said Mr Batterton.

"He drove back towards Ms Thornber at speed, slammed on the brakes and skidded to a halt."

After Ms Thornber returned to her house Goodridge sat outside revving the engine and beeping his horn for several second before driving off.

He was arrested a short time later and tested positive for having taken cocaine.

The court heard that Goodridge, aged 43, of Oakford Walk, Daubhill, suffers from schizophrenia and takes anti-psychotic medication. He also has physical health problems and walks with the aid of a crutch.

Kevin Liston, defending, stressed that Goodridge, who has a lengthy criminal record for motoring offences, has "significant and long term mental health difficulties", but his level of offending has diminished in recent years.

He accepted that the play area incident had been "an appalling piece of driving" but added: "Thankfully, no one was hurt."

Sentencing Goodridge to 12 months in prison, suspended for 12 months, Judge Clayson said that the defendant had been acting irrationally.

"Mental health difficulties were relevant to the commission of this offence," he said, adding that the public will be better protected if he is not imprisoned and gets the support he needs.

As part of his sentence Goodridge must undertake six months of drug treatment and participate in 25 days of rehabilitation activities.

"For goodness sake, take advantage of this opportunity," Judge Clayson told him. In addition, Goodridge was banned from driving for two and half years and must take an extended retest if he wants to regain his licence.