A motorist led police on a high speed chase driving through red lights. 

The pursuit through Horwich and Bolton reached speeds of 80mph.

Joshua Nuttall was eventually detained when a police helicopter alerted officers to his whereabouts.

Bolton Crown Court heard police noticed a black Vauxhall Adam being driven by him on Chorley New Road at around 1pm on November 10 last year.

The car was registered to an address in County Durham and did not have an official keeper so officers wanted to speak to the driver.

But Nuttall sped off causing a pursuit which lasted around ten minutes.

He went through Horwich and then headed towards Bolton.

Katherine Wright, prosecuting, said: “He exceeded the speed limit, going at 80mph in 30mph zones.

“He overtook slow moving traffic at significant speeds.

“He went through two red traffic lights at speed.

“The police vehicle did deploy a stinger but it did not affect the car.”

He later evaded the officer pursuing him on the road but a helicopter alerted them to where he was.

He left the vehicle and ran away towards Queens Park where he was found hiding in a bush.

Nuttall, 22, and from Rothbury court, Bolton, appeared in court to be sentenced after admitting dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

Nick Ross, defending, said he was aware of how bad the driving was.

He said: “He has described it as horrendous and totally stupid.

“The explanation I have had is that at the time of this he had nowhere to stay and a friend lent him the car to sleep in.

“He and another male friend slept in it for the night.

“It was only later that morning that they were driving.

“They were hungry and were going to the local supermarket to buy some food.”

Recorder Neil Clarke KC said due to “pressures on the system” he would likely only serve four months of a year in prison.

He said: “It would cost the taxpayer an enormous amount of money to put you up for four months.

“I intend to punish you for a great deal longer.”

He suspended a sentence of 12 months for two years and ordered him to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and remain under a curfew at his home between the hours of 8pm and 7am for four months.

He also banned him from the roads for two years and ordered that he complete an extended retest before driving again.