A dangerous drug driver went through seven red lights reaching speeds of more than 100mph as he tried to evade the police.

The force helicopter also had to be launched to track Rohail Khan, as he led police on the pursuit through the streets of Blackburn just before 10.30pm on January 31.

Preston Crown Court heard an officer had been called to investigate a stolen vehicle and while searching for the car had come across Khan’s white Audi, which was displaying trade plates.

Clare Thomas, prosecuting, told the court: “The officer followed the Audi but as he got behind it, the driver sped up towards some temporary traffic lights in Philips Road, which were on red.

“The officer put his lights on, but the driver drove through the lights at 55mph.

“The car then sped up to 80mph in a 30mph zone. Traffic was light and it was dark, but it was damp.

“He continued along Philips Road towards Whitebirk Drive and a high-risk pursuit took place.

“The driver accelerated to 100mph on a 50mph dual carriageway and as he approached the lights at Whalley Old Road he went through them on red at 75mph.

“He continued to pass through more red lights at 100mph without braking and sped away from the officer as he approached Brownhill lights, where he went through a red light again.”

Ms Thomas said the officer had to brake for other vehicles and could just make out the Audi, which wasn’t insured, accelerating away in the distance down Ramsgreave Drive and Yew Tree Drive.

At this point the force helicopter joined the pursuit as the officer could no longer see Khan.

Ms Thomas went on: “The car slowed down and a passenger got out and ran away before Khan sped off again and went down Lammack Road and into an estate, where he crashed and got out and ran off.

“He was located in the rear garden of a property nearby.”

The court heard how the chase took place over six miles with Khan, who was only a provisional licence holder, passing through seven red lights at speed.

Khan, 26, of Whalley Street, Blackburn but previously of Blackthorn Close, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, drug driving, driving without a licence and driving with no insurance.

Mitigating, James Preece said his client was sorry for his behaviour and it was “never going to happen again”.

He said: “His position in relation to cannabis has changed and he would like to move away from his use of the drug.

"He’s beginning to think about the impact it will have on his thinking and his health.

“He is a father and has two children aged three and five and has been married for some seven years.

“He also cares for his mother, and I would ask your honour to suspend the sentence.”

Judge Heather Lloyd told Khan his driving was "appalling”, and said while he was driving over the speed limit he did not "care about those people whom you were responsible for”.

She said: “The helicopter was tailing you and the chase only ended when you crashed.

"And in my judgement, you lied when you said you had not taken any cannabis that day, because you had.

“You have shown limited remorse despite pleading guilty, and it seems in some respect you are upset that you got caught.

“I will only stand back from immediate custody as a result of your lack of previous convictions.”

Khan was jailed for 14 months suspended for two years, told to complete 20 rehabilitation days and 100 hours unpaid work, and was disqualified from driving for two years.

He was also placed on a three-month curfew between the hours of 7pm and 6am and must take an extended test if he wants to drive in future.