THE driving of a 19-year-old Bolton youth "bordered on the insane", a court heard.

Anthony Hamer, of Musgrave Road, Heaton, was given nine months' detention at a young offenders' institution by Rochdale magistrates.

Hamer admitted taking a vehicle from Bolton without consent and driving it dangerously in Rochdale. He also admitted driving while disqualified and without insurance, interfering with another vehicle and obstructing a police officer.

Mr Mike Church-Taylor, prosecuting, said a car was taken from Bolton in the early hours of the morning and driven to Rochdale in a manner "bordering on the insane."

The car skipped several traffic lights on red and on one of the town's main roads pulled on to the other side of a dual carriageway to get around a stationary car. The vehicle hit 80 mph through Queensway and Manchester Road before pursuing police brought Hamer to a halt.

The court heard that Hamer had been released from custody in April after serving 15 months for arson.

The case of a 17-year-old Bolton youth also involved in the Rochdale offences has been sent to the youth court.