A DRIVER whose stolen car narrowly avoided hitting pedestrians after losing a tyre has been spared jail.

Bolton Crown Court heard how Callum Williams tried to avoid responsibility for his dangerous driving by climbing into the back seat of the Audi A3 as it rolled to a halt.

Roger Brown, prosecuting, told how the Audi had been stolen by another person in a burglary at Brodick Drive, Breightmet, on September 14 last year.

And six days later, at 2am, police spotted the vehicle being driven towards Manchester on the M61.

Officers followed it as it turned off into Wigan Road at Hunger Hill, driving towards Bolton at speeds of up to 70mph.

Teenager Williams drove on the wrong side of the road and sped through two lots of red traffic lights towards the town centre.

But police were ready with a stinger device to deflate the vehicle's tyres.

Despite only running on three tyres, Williams continued through a red traffic light at the junction with College Way, careering towards two pedestrians.

Williams clambered into the vehicle's back seat and tried to claim to police that he had been a passenger.

But he subsequently pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and aggravated vehicle taking.

In court Williams, aged 19, of Waggon Road, Breightmet, also admitted handling a stolen motorbike, which he had been spotted riding on Leverhulme Park, on July 24 last year.

Recorder Abigail Hudson was told that Williams has a lengthy criminal record, but Simon Gurney, defending, said he was attempting to change, severing connections with previous associates and engaging with court orders.

Mr Gurney stressed that the dangerous driving had been "borne out of immaturity, a desire for thrill seeking and failure to think about the consequences".

He added that Williams, who has been diagnosed with ADHD, comes from a good family and is now in employment.

Sentencing Williams to 22 months in jail, suspended for two years, Recorder Hudson told him he has had numerous previous chances to change his behaviour.

"You have a good, supportive and law abiding family. You have everything and yet you continue to offend like this," she said.

"I am giving you one final opportunity, but it really will be your last."

In addition to the suspended sentence, Williams will be electronically tagged and subject to a 9pm to 7am curfew for four months, must undertake 200 hours unpaid work and 50 days of rehabilitation activity.

He was also banned from driving for 18 months after which he must pass an extended retest.