A DRIVER who sped at 80mph through Prestwich and Whitefield to evade police has been spared jail by a judge who warned him: "This is your last chance."

Peter Moores, aged 30, walked free from Bolton Crown Court on Friday despite Recorder Michael Blakey telling him: "If you drive like that again, it could prove fatal — to you and to others."

The court heard how, at 1.30am on February 20, police in a vehicle patrol spotted Moores driving a silver Volkswagen Golf at speed along Bury New Road in Whitefield.

Officers turned on the vehicle’s lights and sirens, but Moores sped up to evade them.

Moores turned onto Rufford Drive and then onto Parr Lane, travelling over a mini roundabout at 60mph.

Police also spotted him driving on the wrong side of the road and passing through two sets of red traffic lights as he sped up to 80mph back along Bury New Road.

As he reached the junction of Bury New Road and St Mary's Road, police operated a stinger device and brought the car to a halt, before arresting Moores.

He was charged with dangerous driving and driving while disqualified.

The court heard that since turning 18, Moores, of St Annes Road, Denton, has only been out of prison for about two years.

Since being released from custody in August 2014, defence counsel Philip Barnes, said, Moores had been helped by his family, started a loving relationship with a girlfriend and got a job.

In a letter to Recorder Blakey, Moores wrote: "I've been locked up since I was 14 and it has done me no good.

"My life has changed for the better and I have got a job. I am asking for a chance."

Recorder Blakey said: "I'm going to give you a chance.

"I am going to give you the opportunity once and for all to remain out of trouble.

"You cannot drive until your disqualification period ends.

"This was an appalling way to drive and there is a danger that if you do it again, you will cause a fatality to yourself or to others.

"I'm putting the ball firmly in your court.

"You needn't thank me. If you think this is a let off, it is not.

"If you come before me again it will be very difficult for your representative to persuade me to keep you from immediate custody no matter what they have to say.

"This is your last chance."

Moores was given an 18-month prison sentence suspended for two years and was banned from driving for a year.