A dangerous driver led police on a midnight chase after being ‘told to drive away by his passenger’ before smashing into an electricity box.

Anthony Fallon, 46, led officers on a pursuit in a silver Ford Focus late at night through the streets of Bolton on November 25 last year.

He was only brought to a half after losing control of the car and crashing into another parked vehicle and an electricity box, Bolton Crown Court heard.

Katherine Wright, prosecuting, said: “During the pursuit, the Ford frequently reached speeds of 60mph in a 30mph zone.

Ms Wright told the court how police officers on patrol first spotted Fallon, of Park Road, Bolton who has 11 previous convictions for 19 offences, at around 12.40am in the early hours of November 24 near Topp Way, Bolton.

Suspecting that the car was uninsured they gave chase onto Halliwell Road and were led through residential areas with traffic calming measures as Fallon tried to speed away.

After crashing, the officers finally arrested Fallon who, according to Ms Wright, had avoided them because ‘his passenger told him to drive away.’

Following on from his arrest, Fallon pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, driving without insurance and driving without a licence.

But he was arrested again and remanded in custody after failing to appear at his original sentencing hearing at Bolton Crown Court on August 12.

Niamh McGinty, defending, argued that Fallon, who appeared by video link from Forest Bank Prison, deserved credit for having admitted his guilty at the first possible opportunity.

She said that he recognised his driving had shown a ‘complete lack of judgement’ but claimed that Fallon had felt ‘under pressure from his passenger.’

Ms McGinty acknowledged that Fallon had long standing problems with drug abuse.

But she said that he had shown a willingness to deal with his problems and had shown enough self-awareness and remorse to show that rehabilitation was still possible.

ALSO READ: Concerns after latest crash at notorious junction

ALSO READ: Dangerous driver back in court after 'wearing shorts' to unpaid work sentence

Judge Tom Gilbart accepted that drug use had had a devastating effect on the defendant’s life but ordered that he must work to address his problems.

Addressing Fallon, he said: “It is substance abuse that is at the heart of your offending.”

He added: “I keep in mind your somewhat chaotic existence against a background of longstanding drug misuse.”

Judge Gilbart sentenced Fallon to six months in prison, suspended for 12 months and ordered him to complete a six month drug rehabilitation programme with 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He also banned him from driving for two years and ordered that he be monitored by an electronic tag for three months.