A TEENAGE driver rammed into another car as he tried to escape police in a chase through busy streets.

Mitchell Walters, aged 19, was already banned from holding a driving licence when police spotted him in a Ford Mondeo on Queensway, Leigh on Saturday, April 17.

Betsy Hindle, prosecuting told Bolton Crown Court how the Mondeo passed the police car at speed at 11.15am and then failed to stop when officers ordered it to pull over.

The Mondeo accelerated to 60mph along 30mph roads while heading towards oncoming vehicles. "It overtook vehicles at speed, causing other road users to take active measures to avoid colliding with that vehicle," said Miss Hindle.

"The vehicle eventually mounted the pavement in an attempt to overtake a vehicle when it was waiting at a junction. However, it then rammed into another vehicle which seemed to be in the way."

The collision brought the pursuit to an end but Walters, who had a passenger on board, fled on foot towards Leigh Road.

"There was a short pursuit on foot where Mr Walters was requested to stop, but he only did so when he ran towards the end of an alley and appeared to be out of breath," said Miss Hindle.

The court heard that, at the time, Walters was banned from driving due to the number of points he had accumulated on his licence.

Walters, of South Avenue, Leigh, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving whilst banned and having no insurance.

Martin Pizzey, defending, stressed that Walters, who he described as "immature", was fortunate that the incident had not ended disastrously with someone injured.

He added that had been misusing illegal substances but is now cutting down on his cannabis consumption and wants to address his problems.

Judge Graeme Smith sentenced Walters to eight months in prison, suspended for 18 months and ordered him to undertake 100 hours of unpaid work and 30 days of rehabilitation activities.

He was banned from driving again for 12 months.