A MAN has received a suspended sentence after dangerous driving offences that were lucky not to have fatal consequences, according to a judge's ruling.

This comes after Martin Othello Kovacs, 24 of Longfield Road, Bolton, drove an Audi A4 at speeds up to 70mph in a 40mph zone and 60mph zone in a 20mph zone as he tried to escape police on the evening of August 12 this year.

He had already pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving without a licence and failure to stop for a police officer at Greater Manchester Magistrates Court in September and was sentenced six months imprisonment suspended for 18 months.

Passing sentence, Judge Maurice Greene said: "It was rather by luck then by judgement you or nobody else was killed.

"You are 24 and have no other convictions so it’s very sad to see you before the court."

The court heard from prosecutor Harriet Lavin how, as he sped away to escape police, Kovacs also went through red traffic lights and drove on the wrong side of the carriageway in his escape, which saw police forced to abandon the pursuit on safety grounds.

Kovacs also mounted the kerb and drove on the central reservation before eventually crashing the car into bollards after a three mile pursuit on Chorley New Road and Beaumont Road.

Significant damage was caused to the car, for which he was also found to have no licence or insurance for.

He was arrested by officers on Rimsdale Walk following the crash, where Kovacs made full admissions to dangerous driving.

Despite the severity of the driving offences, Judge Greene heard that Kovacs was previously known to be of good character and concluded early on in proceedings that he was unlikely to impose a custodial sentence.

Defence counsel Jane Shaw argued that Kovacs had strong personal mitigation and was heavily influenced by a friend in the car, who persuaded him to try to get away from police.

The court heard Kovacs had also been on medication for depression and epilepsy, and he had previously had no convictions against his name.

He has also recently gained employment and as such was deemed by the court to be capable of rehabilitation.

Along with the suspended sentence, Kovacs was given a 12 month driving ban and has been ordered to carry out rehabilitation sessions along with 100 hours of unpaid work.