A quad bike rider, who refused to stop for police, careered along roads at up to 45mph and caused a driver to brake hard to avoid a collision.

The pursuit through Bury on March 11 only ended after the quad bike came to a halt on Topping Fold Road and the rider, 43-year-old Jamie Michael Simpson, was unable to restart it.

He was charged with careless driving, having no licence or insurance and failing to stop for a police officer.

And he was convicted of the offences after failing to turn up to Bolton Magistrates’ Court for his trial.

Questioned by Neil Addison, prosecuting, PC Adam Barber told the court how he was on duty at 10.15am when he spotted a blue Yamaha quad bike on Parsonage Street, Bury.

“It was on off-road vehicle. The driver at the time was wearing a helmet but was displaying no registration plate,” said PC Barber.

The officer followed the vehicle as it turned into Shaw Street and picked up speed, travelling at 35-40mph.

At the junction of Willow Street and Rochdale Old Road PC Barber indicated to the rider to pull over but he sped off.

“He looked over his right shoulder and I pointed with my finger for him to pull over. He then took off onto Rochdale Old Road,” said PC Barber.

After reaching 45mph the quad bike did a handbrake turn in front of a oncoming car, which had to brake sharply, and turned into Topping Fold Road where it mounted a kerb and drove onto a grass verge.

“The engine had cut out completely and he was trying to restart the quad to get it going again,” said PC Barber.

Simpson, of Heywood Road, Prestwich, was arrested and handcuffed.

When questioned, Simpson claimed he had bought the quad bike 10 days earlier for £2,000 and was driving to a quarry.

He said he knew he had no licence or insurance for the vehicle and had “panicked” when he saw the police.

Simpson claimed he did not know he was speeding as he had no speedometer said he had had ended the pursuit voluntarily.

“He said he did not want to injure himself or anyone else,” said Mr Addison.

Magistrates fined Simpson £860 and ordered him to pay £500 towards prosecution costs plus an £86 victim surcharge.

Nine penalty points were added to his driving record.