A dangerous driver ran through red lights and over a grass verge in a bid to escape police while travelling on false number plates.

Jamil Ahmed, 36, from Bolton, had been driving through the Salford area on March 29 this year when the false plates were spotted by police on patrol.

But when the officers indicated he should stop, Bolton Crown Court heard how instead Ahmed sped away at time reaching speeds of up to 60mph in a 30mph area.

Mark Pritchard, prosecuting, said: “The police turned on their lights and sirens but the defendant continued to make off.”

In trying to get away, Ahmed mounted a curb and drove over the grass section of a housing estate and through red lights at a four way junction.

The Bolton News: The case was heard at Bolton Crown CourtThe case was heard at Bolton Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Pritchard told the court how during the chase Ahmed, who has six previous convictions for 15 offences, forced other drivers to take evasive action before breaking sharply.

After being stopped Ahmed, of Shireburn Avenue, Tonge Fold was brought before Wigan and Leigh Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving without insurance, driving without a licence and failure to stop for police officers.

Mark Kellett, defending, argued that he was entitled to credit for having pleaded guilty to all charges at the first possible opportunity and said that he had panicked after seeing the officers on patrol.

He also pointed out that though he could have put people in danger, ultimately no one was harmed by Ahmed’s actions.

Mr Kellett said: “There were no pedestrians caught up in the dangerous driving but I must be said that it was by luck that there were no pedestrians involved.”

ALSO READ: Shop owners concerned about kerb which has 'caused injuries and vehicle damage'

ALSO READ: 'This street is like a drag strip': Safety concerns over road after crash

ALSO READ: Visitors enter virtual reality to experience the horrors of dangerous driving

Recorder Philip Barnes accepted that Ahmed’s guilty plea had earned him credit but reminded the court how serious the consequences of his driving could have been.

Addressing the defendant, he said: “You placed those around you at considerable risk at a busy time of day.”

He added: “You should not be on the roads, you knew that full well got into this car and I have no doubt you attached false plates to conceal its identity.”

Recorder Barnes sentenced Ahmed to a year in prison and banned him from the roads for a further three years.