A DANGEROUS driver has been spared a jail sentence after proving to a judge that he can stay out of trouble.

In September last year John Carroll appeared at Bolton Crown Court after admitting committing the offence in March 2018.

The court heard how 32-year-old Carroll had smashed into a van while racing another a car in Chorley Old Road, Bolton.

Judge Timothy Stead heard there had been delays in bringing the case to court, Carroll has since become a dad and is also caring for his own father, who has cancer.

The judge deferred sentencing him until this month to allow him time to prove he could continue to remain offence free.

The court had heard how Matthew Barber was driving his Transporter van on Chorley Old Road towards Bolton, at 2.30pm on March 1 2018 when Carroll and another car, racing each other, headed towards him.

The Astra, driven by Carroll, collided with the white vehicle as he tried to overtake it, then rebounded across the carriageway into Mr Barber's van, which had been heading in the opposite direction.

Carroll and his passenger ran off but not before Mr Barber managed to take photographs of them as they gathered their possessions.

The court heard that Carroll, of Leigh Close, Bury, has previous convictions, including for drug driving.

But Judge Stead acknowledged that the dangerous driving was committed almost two years ago and he has now reformed.

He sentenced Carroll to a 12 month community order during which he must participate in 25 days of rehabilitation activities and a thinking skills programme.

He was also banned from driving for 12 months, after which he must take an extended retest in order to regain his licence.

"I hope you keep up the good work," the judge told him.