A CRIMINAL who was on the run for more than a year, committed a series of dangerous driving and theft offences after being granted bail three times.

At Bolton Crown Court he was finally sentenced to 32 months in prison for crimes dating back to 2014.

Judge Ricard Gioserano commented that it is “quite incredible” that 23-year-old Francis Doherty had previously been given bail despite having three outstanding warrants against him.

“Every time he is given bail he goes and offends,” said the judge.

Doherty pleaded guilty to a series of offences including an incident on May 16 this year when he was caught driving a Mercedes Sprinter van dangerously in Radcliffe and Little Lever.

Alistair Reid, prosecuting, told how it came to police attention when it almost collided with Land Rover in Radcliffe.

Doherty followed the Land Rover, attempting to overtake it on the wrong side of the road at speeds of up to 70mph.

In Little Lever he then went the wrong way up Kershaw Avenue and mounted the pavement, forcing pedestrians to jump out of the way before finally coming to a halt in Church Street, Little Lever, when he collided with a Vauxhall Zafira.

Doherty was arrested nearby and admitted dangerous driving and having no insurance.

The former gardener, a father-of-one, was on the run at the time after being granted bail following an escape from custody.

The court heard that he had collapsed after being arrested for burglary in Maidstone, Kent and, still handcuffed, escaped from an ambulance. He was caught later in the day.

Other offences Doherty admitted were dangerous driving and theft crimes in Preston in December 2014.

Doherty was driving a BMW and was with accomplices when they stole an Audi A3 which had keys left in it at a valet service.

The cars drove in convoy, mounting a pavement and causing pedestrians, including a child, to jump out of the way.

Police pursued the BMW, which went onto collide with a bollard, deliberately reversed into the police vehicle and finally came to a halt after colliding with two parked cars.

The stolen Audi was eventually recovered, bearing false plates, at a caravan park in Yorkshire.

Doherty was also involved with stealing a quad bike from Westhoughton Industrial Estate in January 2015 and stealing an Astra from a car centre in Heywood.

Andrew Costello, defending, said Doherty had lacked a father figure in his life for 15 years and the court heard he had previous had a £100-a-day cocaine and cannabis addiction.

He hopes to live with an aunt in Farnworth on his release from prison and work for his brother’s tree surgery business.

“He is remorseful for what he has done,” said Mr Costello.

In addition to 32 months in jail, Doherty was banned from applying for a driving licence for 40 months.