A DRINK driver's 16 mile chase around Bury ended when he smashed his way through a primary school's gates.

Bolton Crown Court heard how Callum Dorrian rammed police cars and reached speeds of up to 130mph as he attempted to escape officers.

The 26-year-old delivery driver was jailed for 12 months with Judge Richard Gioserano telling him: "The danger you posed to others that night is obvious and substantial. It is only a matter of pure chance that no one was hurt."

Lindsay Thomas, prosecuting, told how the 16 minute long pursuit began at 11.45pm on June 16 after police spotted Dorrian's VW Golf GT speeding on Agecroft Road heading towards Salford.

But Dorrian, who had been drinking whilst watching a football match at a pub, refused to stop so the police helicopter was brought in and, at one stage, he was being chased through residential streets of Bury, Radcliffe and Prestwich by two police cars.

The court was shown footage of the pursuit taken from one of the police cars, which revealed how Dorrian went through red lights, drove on the wrong carriageway and forced other vehicles to swerve to avoid him.

On Butterstile Lane, Prestwich, Dorrian stopped and reversed, deliberately smashing into the front of the police car following him before speeding onto Bury New Road at 80mph.

The police footage went on to show the Golf reaching up to 130mph as it flew up the M66, coming off the sliproad at Bury and heading towards the town centre before heading onto Parkhills Road and along Radcliffe roads including Spring Lane, Pilkington Way and Rectory Lane.

The Golf then headed back towards Bury, speeding along Manchester Road, Angouleme Way and Market Street before it turned into Morley Street, a cul-de-sac which terminates at St Luke's CE Primary School.

But Dorrian refused to give himself up as the police cars boxed him in, ramming them before smashing his way through the school gates.

When he was forced to a stop he fled on foot but was caught after a short chase.

A breath test revealed he had drunk two and a half times the legal alcohol limit for driving.

Dorrian, of Colman Gardens, Ordsall, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and drink driving.

The court heard he already had a significant criminal record and had previously served 20 months in jail for alcohol fuelled violent disorder.

"Here you are again drinking far too much to drive, but driving anyway," commented Judge Gioserano.

A probation officer's report revealed that, despite his criminal record, Dorrian had managed to find work as a driver for GW Financial Solutions, had a licence and was insured when using his Golf.

Kathryn Johnson, defending, stressed that, although it was a sustained pursuit, the roads were not busy with traffic or pedestrians at the time.

But Judge Gioserano told Dorrian he must impose an immediate 12 month jail sentence.

"It is too serious for any other sentence to be justified," he said.

Dorrian was also banned from driving for two and a half years, after which he must take an extended retest.