A DANGEROUS driver who fled police was caught by a dog after trying to escape on foot.

Adam Walton’s bid to out-run officers ended when he drove into a cul-de-sac in Lower Southfield, Westhoughton and was found by police dog Draco.

At Bolton Crown Court 20-year-old Walton, who had been using ketamine and cocaine and had no licence, was spared jail after Sophie Kenny, defending, told the Honorary Recorder of Bolton, Judge Martin Walsh, that the conviction has been a “salutary lesson”.

Simon Barrett, prosecuting, told how police spotted Walton driving a VW Polo at 3.30am on March 21, but when they tried to stop him on Mere Hall Street, Bolton he sped off.

Walton hurtled along Bradshawgate in Bolton town centre before heading along Deane Road towards Westhoughton and through two red lights at 50mph.

On Wigan Road he reached 70mph before the chase came to an end in Lower Southfield and when caught he had cocaine on him.

Walton, of Church Street, Westhoughton, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, drug driving, driving without a licence or insurance and failing to stop and possessing cocaine.

Miss Kenny said Walton has now disassociated himself from associates he was spending time and has a job with a railway company which requires regular drug testing, a position he is determined not to lose.

She stressed that he has stopped using drugs and appealed to Judge Walsh not to jail Walton immediately.

“This a young man who has never been before the courts and has never had any involvement with the police before,” she said.

“He is deeply sorry for his actions. He is not a young man I expect to see before the court again and this has, without doubt, been a very salutary lesson for him.”

Judge Walsh sentenced Walton to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years and ordered that he undertake 150 hours of unpaid work and participate in 15 days of rehabilitation activities.

He was banned from driving for three years after which he will have to take an extended test.

Judge Walsh told him: “You have escaped immediate custody by the skin of your teeth.”

He added: “Driving in this manner created a gross and obvious risk of serious harm, if not worse, being caused to members of the public.

“You appear to have expressed remorse for what you did. It is a pity you didn’t think about the consequences and the implications for your family at the time you were driving in this grotesque manner.”