A BANNED driver’s 90mph police chase came to an end when officers deflated the tyres of his stolen car with a stinger.

At Bolton Crown Court Jordan Buckle was jailed for six months after pleading guilty to dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking, driving while banned and having no insurance.

The court heard how, on July 13, care worker Carmel Mair’s Ford C Max was stolen from outside a house in Copthorne Drive, Breightmet, by two women.

“As a result of the car being lost it caused significant distress. She was unable to undertake her duties and lost her job,” said Nicholas Flanagan, prosecuting.

Then towards the end of July 20-year-old Buckle was seen in the vehicle which, by then, was fitted with false number plates.

Mr Flanagan told the court how, at 3.13 am on August 7, police in an unmarked car spotted the vehicle on Bolton Road, Westhoughton, heading towards Chew Moor.

They began to covertly follow it and watched as the Ford did 55mph in St John’s Road, which has a 20mph speed limit.

At Beaumont Road, Lostock, Buckle realised he was being followed by police and a chase began, which saw the Ford driver speeding at 90mph along Chorley New Road towards the Beehive roundabout.

But police colleagues were waiting at the roundabout with a stinger device, which punctured the car’s front nearside tyre.

Buckle drove on the wrong side of the road and over the roundabout at 60mph before his speed dropped and he ground to a halt.

He was arrested as he got out of the vehicle and was immediately returned to prison as he has been on licence after a three year prison sentence for robbery.

The court heard that Buckle, of no fixed address, has 11 previous convictions for 24 previous offences, including for vehicle taking, burglary and dangerous driving.

He appeared for sentencing in court via a video link from Forest Bank prison.

Helen Longworth, defending, told Judge Richard Gioserano that Buckle had been frightened because he initially thought he was being followed by people wanting retribution from

him.

She added: “The driving, although serious, is not the most serious form of dangerous driving that has been before the court.

“Although high speeds were reached and traffic lights gone through, the traffic was light and no pedestrians were put at

risk.”

She added that Buckle’s mother lives in Cornwall and has offered him a home there when he is released from jail.

“It might be good for him. Whether Cornwall will welcome him is another matter,” said Judge Gioserano.

In addition to the prison sentence, Buckle was banned from applying for a driving licence for 21 months.