A former Bolton resident crashed a car into a farm and proceeded to drive it towards a grandfather and grandson who stayed there.

Frederick Allen crashed a car while he was driving down Rindle Road, Astley.

Bolton Crown Court heard the 32-year-old was driving at excessive speed and then applied the handbrake which sent him hurdling into the farm.

There he did 'donut' manoeuvres and almost collided with a vehicle being driven by Brian Spencer, whose grandson William Spencer came to confront the defendant.

After words were exchanged Allen got back inside his vehicle and reversed it.

William Spencer managed to get out of the way but Brian Spencer was hit and went into a ditch.

A tree prevented the car, a Volvo, travelling into the ditch.

William Spencer temporarily detained Allen but he escaped only to be traced by the police a short time later.

A small bag of cannabis was found in his car.

Denise Fitzpatrick, prosecuting, revealed the impact the incident on July 25 last year had on the grandfather.

She said: “He describes how he was not able to work for a few days after this.

“He was constantly worried looking out for who was coming down the road towards his house.

“It left him scared to leave his farmyard unattended.”

Allen appeared in court to be sentenced after admitting dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, common assault, actual bodily harm and possession of cannabis.

He also admitted breaching suspended sentences given for taking a vehicle without consent and also one for dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and racially aggravated harassment.

Read more: Farnworth thief stole parcel van

Read more: Unprepared thief stole £20,000

Read more: Bolton taxi driver warns of catalytic converter thefts

Allen, formerly of Farnworth, was previously jailed for stealing a delivery van after the driver dropped the keys.

Paul Treble, defending, said Allen had problems with addiction to Class A drugs but had worked to significantly reduce his methadone intake.

Judge Nicolas Clarke KC said: “‘You can’t keep saying ‘I am not responsible for my actions’ you need to say to yourself 'I’ll stop committing crimes and I’ll stop taking drugs.’”

He jailed Allen, from Crawford Avenue, Tyledsley, for 26 months and banned him from the roads for two years and seven months to take account of the time he will spend in custody having already done six months.