A drug dealer sped away from police in Bolton after falsely believing they were looking for him.

Michael Turner was behind the wheel of a Vauxhall Insignia on Bury Road, Bolton, when he saw officers with sirens on heading in his direction.

The 28-year-old, of no fixed abode, had cannabis in his possession.

Bolton Crown Court heard he sped away from police.

William Staunton, prosecuting, said: “Police officers on January 2 last year were responding to an emergency call of a knife crime.

“They had emergency lights on and were driving on Bury Road.

“They saw the defendant who was driving a Vauxhall Insignia.

“He appeared to react to the emergency lights.

“Officers felt obliged to follow.

“He drove at 90mph in a 40mph zone.”

The vehicle eventually crashed and Turner got out and ran away.

After being detained he was found to be in possession of cannabis worth around £450.

Turner appeared in court to be sentenced after admitting dangerous driving and possession of drugs with intent to supply.

The court heard he was serving a 58 month sentence for a range of other offences including dangerous driving, driving without insurance and drug dealing.

Kevin Liston, defending, said he was involved in “street dealing to cannabis users".

He added: “Having lost drugs he intended to supply on an earlier occasion there was a debt.

“There was pressure and coercion placed on him.”

District Judge Richard Clews said: “This was a bad case of dangerous driving.

“When the vehicle was so badly damaged you could not drive it you got out and continued to try to evade the police.

“No doubt you tired to get away with the police not finding out about the drugs in your possession.”

He added six months to the prison sentence which Turner is presently serving.

He also added two years to his driving ban, meaning it will expire in November 2027 as he had already been banned.