A MAN has received a suspended prison sentence after driving a stolen Range Rover in an “appalling driving spree” across Bolton.

Ashley Lee Robert Shields, 36, of Upland Drive, Little Hulton, was caught behind the wheel of the the £13,500 vehicle on November 24 last year, Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard.

The vehicle, a white Range Rover Evoque, had previously gone missing from an address in Farnworth on November 21, the court heard.

Brand new models of the vehicle can sell for more than £40,000.

On November 21 2019, the vehicle was taken from the Farnworth property, with the owner having the only keys to the vehicle.

Three days later at around 9.15pm on November 24, police spotted Shields driving the vehicle in Manchester Road, Kearsley.

After covertly following the vehicle, officers deployed a stinger in the Stoneclough area which was partially effective - only disabling one of the vehicle's tyres.

Prosecutor Rachel Widdicombe said that Shields "accelerated away" and drove the vehicle "on the wrong side of the road at high speed."

She added that he went over 70mph in a 40mph zone in Ringley Road, Radcliffe, in an attempt to escape.

After eventually stopping, he was detained following a short chase.

Defending, Adam Brown offered no mitigating circumstances for the case.

Sentencing Shields to a 12 month prison sentence for dangerous driving, suspended for two years, Judge Paul Lawton said that the defendant had committed an "appalling spree of driving."

He added: "You were in trouble when you were a juvenile but you were out of trouble for two decades. It is a shame that you were caught up in this criminality."

He accepted that Shields had been taking the vehicle from "point A to point B."

Shields also received a 12 month sentence for handling stolen goods, to be served concurrently.

Shields also received 150 hours of unpaid community work, ordered to attend 15 rehabilitation days and was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Upon the end of the 12 months, he must pass an extended driving test in order to be able to get back on the roads.