AN AUDI driver, who has never passed a test, has been jailed for eight months after leading police on an 80mph chase through the streets of Farnworth and Little Hulton.

At Bolton Crown Court Harley Johnson was told by Recorder Andrew Nuttall that his driving had been "downright dangerous" during the 12 minute pursuit.

Michael Lavery, prosecuting, told the court how, at 12.45am on May 6, police spotted an Audi A4 jumping red traffic lights but the car, driven by 26-year-old Johnson, refused to stop.

Over a distance of two miles, the chase along roads including Longcauseway, Cleggs Lane, Newcombe Drive, Plodder Lane and Spa Crescent, saw Johnson driving over speed bumps at high speed, through junctions without stopping and ignoring mini roundabouts. Items were thrown out of the vehicle at the pursuing police car.

The pursuit finally ended when Johnson came to a stop, jumped out of the car and was caught trying to run away.

Officers then found out that he only had a provisional driving licence, no insurance and the Audi was on false number plates.

Johnson, of Wicheaves Crescent, Little Hulton, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and having no licence or insurance.

Verity Quaite, defending, admitted, "This is clearly a very bad piece of driving". But she stressed that Johnson pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and only has a small number of previous convictions for public order and criminal damage offences.

Sentencing Johnson, Recorder Nuttall told him; "You were not concerned about anyone potentially on the streets, whether they be they pedestrians or travelling in their motor vehicles.

"Fortuitously, no harm was done to anyone. It is extraordinary that no damage was done at all given the chase that took place."

Johnson was banned from driving for 16 months after which he will have to take an extended test.