A 25-YEAR-OLD banned driver sped away from police after he was seen behind the wheel.

Blackburn magistrates heard that despite driving over a ‘stinger’ Salim Shah raced away at speeds of up to 65mph in built-up areas, jumping red lights and forcing other vehicles to take evasive action.

The court was told he eventually suffered problems due to the punctured tyres and was arrested.

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Shah, of Blackburn Road, Great Harwood, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and without insurance and failing to stop for a police officer.

He was committed in custody to Burnley Crown Court to be sentenced on December 23.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said the incident started on the A56 Haslingden by-pass when Shah was seen driving towards Accrington.

A stinger was deployed on Burnley Road but, despite driving over it, Shah was still able to continue.

The court heard he was doing 65mph on Burnley Road and reached 60mph on Queens Road before travelling on Heywood Road and Lime Road where he stopped and reversed into a police car before setting off again.

The prosecution said he travelled up Ribblesdale Avenue and onto Whalley Road, jumping a red light at the junction with Dill Hall Lane before entering Atlas Street, Sydney Street and Brisbane Street where he eventually stopped.

Miss Allan said Shah had been jailed for 22 months in April and banned for disqualified driving.

Peter King, defending, said his client accepted the matter had crossed the custody threshold but asked the magistrates to grant him bail pending his appearance at the Crown Court.

He said Shah lived at home with his father who was sole carer for his elderly grandparents. His father is appearing at another court this morning and is likely to go to prison,” said Mr King.

“The responsibility for caring for his grandparents was going to fall to my client and the stupid commission of these offences is putting them in some jeopardy.

“Bail would give him the opportunity to make arrangements for their care whatever the outcome when he is sentenced at the Crown Court.”

A Lancashire Police spokesperson said: “Reckless driving can have serious consequences and in this case it is lucky that no one was seriously hurt as a result of Shah’s actions behind the wheel.

“If you think it is acceptable to drive in a dangerous manner like this, we will find you and put you before the courts.”