Driver sped off at Heaton Park in car stolen in Farnworth

Tyrone Conway, 41, had been behind the wheel of a Toyota Yaris in the middle of the day near Heaton Park on October 16 last year when officers on patrol noticed him at a petrol station forecourt.

Bolton Crown Court heard how the car had been stolen in Farnworth around two weeks earlier and how, on seeing the officers, Conway drove away at high speeds.

Tom Farr, prosecuting, said: “The forecourt was very busy, with other members of the public present.”

A chase ensued during which Conway drove through red lights “showing no consideration for other road users”, according to Mr Farr, and forced his way onto a roundabout.

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

Conway, who has nine previous convictions for 11 offences, then turned onto Heywood Old Road where he narrowly avoided crashing into another vehicle.

Mr Farr said that he was driving in an “aggressive, unpredictable, jerky manner”, reaching speeds of 70mph in a 30mph zone before accidentally boxing himself in.

He tried to escape on foot after jumping out of the car but was chased down by police officers and arrested.

Brought before the magistrates court Conway, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods, dangerous driving, driving without insurance and driving while disqualified.

Christopher Field, defending, said that Conway had endured personal tragedies and struggled for years with drug use.

But he said that since his remand in prison, he had been forced to “get a handle” on his mental health.

Mr Field said: “All of this points towards a defendant who is not only capable of rehabilitation but who is seeking it.”

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But Recorder Anna Pope pointed out how dangerous Conway’s driving could have been given, how crowded the forecourt had been and that the roads had been used by other drivers.

She said: “I remind myself that this was lunchtime, and you were in a residential area for part of this driving.”

She also reminded Conway that the Toyota itself was stolen and that “this was somebody’s car that you were driving”, though she accepted he had not been charged with its theft.

Recorder Pope jailed Conway for a total of 28 months and 10 days and banned him from driving for a total of 34 months and five days.