A judge blasted a defendant for “joking and smiling” in court while the details of a dangerous high speed police chase were read out.

Bolton Crown Court heard Jordan Hook allowed himself to be carried in a Volkswagen which he knew to be stolen and which led police on a chase through Leigh.

The owner was in the car in traffic lights at around 9.30pm on April 21 this year when three men descended on her, forced her out of the vehicle, and made off with it.

The car was then seen at 4.30am the following day on St Helens Road in Leigh.

Zarreen Alam-Cheetham, prosecuting, said: “The car accelerated and hit speeds of 70mph in a 30mph speed limit.

“It moved onto Bonnywell Road, a residential street, a 20mph speed limit, it did 68mph.”

Ms Alam-Cheetham said the police pursuit continued until the vehicle went “off road and was abandoned".

A police helicopter spotted two men fleeing and Jason Dewitt, the driver, and Hook, the passenger, were detained a short time later.

Hook, 26, of Derby House, Scholes, Wigan, appeared in court to be sentenced for aggravated vehicle taking, which he had pleaded guilty to.

When asked to confirm his identity he said “yo” and laughed as the facts of the case were read out.

Paul Wood, defending, conceded a prison sentence was inevitable but said his “culpability must be reduced below that of the driver".

Judge Tom Gilbart hit out at his attitude.

He said: “It is quite clear from watching you as the prosecution opened this case you do not take responsibility.

“You were joking and smiling.”

He added: “I am satisfied appropriate punishment can only be met by immediate custody.”

He jailed him for 45 weeks and banned him from the roads for three years and 15 weeks.

Dewitt, 20, of Enfield Avenue, Atherton, will be sentenced at a later date for driving without a licence or insurance, dangerous driving and driving a vehicle he knew to be stolen, offences he has admitted to committing.