A DRIVER who led police on a chase through the streets of Nelson escaped jail, but was told by magistrates it was only by the skin of his teeth.

Aqib Ahmed, 21, ran off when he finally had to stop because of cars parked on both sides of one road, Burnley Magistrates heard.

Bench chairman Tony Winder told the defendant he had been responsible for a prolonged piece of bad driving and created a serious risk to the public.

Ahmed, of Thorn Street, Burnley, admitted dangerous driving, failing to stop when required by a constable, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, no insurance and possessing cannabis, on May 3.

He was given 160 hours' community punishment, ordered to pay £65 costs and was banned from driving for 12 months.

The court was told police tried to stop the defendant. He was driving at 50mph in 30 mph zones, didn't stop at junctions and accelerated away.

He then turned into a street where cars were parked on both side of the road and could not get past. Ahmed stopped, got out and ran off.

When he was arrested and taken to the police station, the defendant was found to have cannabis on him.

Graeme Tindall, defending, said Ahmed pleaded guilty immediately and was aware what he had done was serious.

The solicitor added the defendant, who more often than not had been in full time work, had hoped to set up a taxi firm in Holland but had had to return to England. His mother had died and his father had health difficulties.

The chase was over a relatively short distance although a number of streets were involved.

Mr Tindall went on: "He accepts he has gone off the rails slightly in the recent past, mixing with the wrong people. He hopes custody doesn't have to be imposed and that a community punishment order can be made."