A POLICE officer who was trying to arrest a teenager for dangerous driving was injured by the motorist’s mouth braces.

Bolton Crown Court heard that, in the scuffle on Topp Way, Joshua Moreton’s braces accidentally scratched the officer.

Moreton, who had never driven before and had no licence, was boxed in by police at the traffic lights after they realised the Vauxhall Corsa he was driving was a stolen car on false plates.

Alison Whalley, prosecuting, told how Moreton, then aged 19, tried to get away by reversing into the police car behind him.

Moreton the ran from the car but was caught and arrested.

Miss Whalley told Judge Timothy Stead that what is thought to be cannabis and nine wraps of what may be cocaine were found on him but police destroyed them before they could be tested and so he faces no charges relating to them or for being over the prescribed limit for driving.

“That is truly extraordinary,” commented Judge Stead. “But it isn’t going to be held against the defendant, whatever the suspicions may be.”

Moreton, now aged 22, of Kylemore Aveunue, Bolton, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, handling a stolen car and assaulting a police officer.

The court heard Moreton, who was described as a hard-working father, is of previous good character and has not offended since the incident on November 1, 2019.

Stuart Duke, defending, said: “He had never driven a car before but for some reason he decided to have a go in this vehicle and, of course, was immediately apprehended by police.”

He stressed that Moreton had not bitten the officer and the scratches suffered were accidental.

“He is remorseful,” said Mr Duke. “At the time he was using heavily cocaine and cannabis.

“If there was ever a case which demonstrated the phrase, ‘drugs are for mugs’, this is the case because he has thrown away his good character and his driving licence before he has even got one.”

Sentencing Moreton to nine months in a young offenders' institution, suspended for two years, Judge Stead told him that if it had been proved that he deliberately injured the officer or he had been dealing drugs then he would be going to jail immediately.

Instead Moreton was electronically tagged and sentenced to a 9pm to 5am curfew for 90 days and banned from applying for a driving licence for 12 months, after which he will have to take an extended test.