A LEARNER driver who crashed his car following a police pursuit through Ramsbottom has been spared jail.

Bolton Crown Court heard how 20-year-old Aidan Murphy had bought a Renault Megane and kept it outside his house ready for when he passed his driving test.

But Stuart Duke, defending, told Recorder Philip Curran that after sitting in it with his pals on the evening of August 15 last year they “egged him on” to take them for a ride.

However, Murphy’s driving was so poor and erratic that it brought his car to the attention of police in Bolton Road West, Ramsbottom at 8.15pm.

Colin Buckle, prosecuting, revealed how Murphy refused to stop, driving at speeds of up to 60mph through the town, overtaking a vehicle on a blind bend and crossing junctions when lights were on red.

“Police were so concerned about the nature of your driving that they decided to abandon the chase for fear it would lead to serious injury or death of others on the road,” Recorder Curran told Murphy.

The incident finally ended a short time later when Murphy, who had already clipped one vehicle’s wing mirror, smashed into a Peugeot as it was being parked in Adelaide Street, Ramsbottom.

He ran off leaving his passengers, a male and two 16-year-old girls, behind but then later handed himself in at a police station.

Murphy, of Garside Hey Road, Brandlesholme, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, having no licence or insurance and failing to stop or report an accident.

Mr Duke said that as a result of his crimes Murphy has now lost his job with Six Towns Housing.

“He has behaved incredibly stupidly,” said Mr Duke.

“”He has expressed genuine remorse for this driving.”

Sentencing Murphy to 10 months in a Young Offenders’ Institution, suspended for 18 months, Recorder Curran said he had little or no experience of driving and has had previous convictions for attempted robbery assault and theft.

“You are becoming a bit of a tearaway,” said the Recorder.

“It had better stop or you will be going to custody.”

As part of the suspended sentence Murphy was ordered to do 150 hours unpaid work and must undertake Think Skills and rehabilitation activity sessions.

He was banned from applying for a driving licence for 18 months, after which he will have to take an extended driving test.