The start of the new year proved to be a busy time for the courts in Bolton.

Over the course of January, the courts dealt with a driver who caused a fatal crash, burglars, drug dealers and a pair who had viciously assaulted a man in a park.

What follows are the names, faces and crimes of nine people jailed in January.

The Bolton News: Sam HughesSam Hughes (Image: GMP)

Sam Hughes, 32, was twice over the legal limit for alcohol, with traces of cocaine and MDMA in his blood when he crashed into cyclist Lee Raynor on Chorley New Road, who died.

Hughes, of Daffodil Road, Farnworth, fled the scene before police caught up with him later.

He was jailed for six years and nine months.

READ MORE: Sam Hughes

The Bolton News: Adam SmithAdam Smith (Image: GMP)

Adam Smith, 30 of St John's Court, Westhoughton, harassed his partner, at one point biting her.

He was sentenced to 66 weeks in prison.

READ MORE: ADAM SMITH

The Bolton News: Lewis DaviesLewis Davies (Image: GMP)

Lewis Davies, 18 of Knutshaw Crescent, Westhoughton, spent his eighteenth birthday stealing a BMW from a home in Horwich.

He was sent to detention for two years.

READ MORE: Lewis Davies

The Bolton News: Zain AzimZain Azim (Image: GMP)

The Bolton News: Hashikesh PatelHashikesh Patel (Image: GMP)

Zain Azim, 19, and Hashikesh Patel, 18, were amongst a group who launched a vicious attack on James Turner, uncle of murdered teenager Reece Tansey.

They beat Mr Turner with his own bike chain after he told them the bike was not for sale.

Azim, of Green Lane, Great Lever was sentenced to four years and eight months detention and training while Patel, of Lowther Street, Great Lever, was sentenced to five years and two months detention and training.

READ MORE: Zain Azim and Hashikesh Patel

The Bolton News: Thomas SmethurstThomas Smethurst (Image: GMP)

Thomas Smethurst, 23 of Hawthorn Street, Deane, crashed a car during a police chase despite already being banned from the roads.

He was jailed for 16 months.

READ MORE: Thomas Smethurst 

The Bolton News: Patrik VolgyiPatrik Volgyi (Image: GMP)

Patrik Volgyi burgled a retirement complex and an unoccupied house despite holding down a steady job at a factory.

Passing sentence, a judge said he was driven by "greed, not needs."

Volgyi, of Manchester Road, Great Lever, was sentenced to 15 months in prison.

READ MORE: Patrik Volgyi

The Bolton News: Gareth WilsonGareth Wilson (Image: GMP)

Gareth Wilson, 36 of Bag Lane, Atherton, broke into his victim's home after they had moved to a care home.

He was jailed for 876 days.

READ MORE: Gareth Wilson 

The Bolton News: Ali HussainAli Hussain (Image: GMP)

Ali Hussain, 36, played a "managerial role" in distributing drugs across Bolton for around six months.

He was arrested after police found heroin and crack cocaine in his bedroom when raiding his home.

Hussain, of Lonsdale Road, Heaton, was jailed for three years and nine months.

READ MORE: Ali Hussain