A YOUNG driver smashed into a wall after leading police on a 119mph chase.

Bolton Crown Court heard how, at one point, Connor McNally stopped briefly for officers but sped off again after his passenger informed him he was carrying drugs.

Martin Pizzey, defending, told Judge Graeme Smith how 22-year-old McNally panicked.

“Rationality and thought clearly went out of the window,” he said.

Due to the Bar Council advising barristers not to attend court in person during the coronavirus crisis, McNally was prosecuted by Hayley Bennett using a telephone line with the handset placed next to a microphone in Court 1 at the court.

She told how police first spotted McNally driving a VW Polo on the M61, heading Northbound towards junction 4 at 10.30pm on January 31.

The police officer followed as the Polo gained speed.

“It accelerated up to the point where it was travelling at 119mph,” said Miss Bennett.

Workmen were placing cones in the carriageway to close off junction 6 at Horwich.

“The road closure had not been fully implemented yet and the Polo took the opportunity and accelerated onto the exit slip road onto De Havilland Way,” said Miss Bennett.

On Chorley Road, heading towards Westhoughton, McNally pulled over and stopped for police.

“However, when the officer alighted his vehicle and made his way towards the car, it accelerated with such force that the wheels were initially spinning,” said Miss Bennett.

McNally continued driving at up to 105mph in a 40mph zone and sped through a red light at 100mph, before officers ended the six minute pursuit after the Polo headed into Church Street due to concern for the safety of other road users.

A short time later officers spotted the Polo crashed into a house wall at the junction with Glebe Street and McNally and his passenger ran off.

“It caused minor damage to the wall but extensive damage to the vehicle,” said Miss Bennett

Officers found the passenger trying to hide himself amongst a group of other men. He then told police that McNally was the driver.

McNally, who has no previous convictions, tried to avoid being caught for his offending by reporting his car stolen a short time later, but then admitted he had been driving.

McNally, of George Street, Farnworth, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, failing to stop for police and failing to stop after an accident.

Mr Pizzey told the court that, as a result of the offence, McNally has now lost his job and it may have put paid to his hopes of joining the Army.

“He was dedicated to leading an ordinary and decent life. He never foresaw that would ever appear before this court,” said Mr Pizzey.

“On the night in question his first mistake was to drive too fast.”

He added that McNally initially did the right thing and pulled over for police.

“He insists his friend, or who he thought was a friend, said, ‘We are both in trouble. I have got some drugs in this bag’,” said Mr Pizzey, persuading him to speed off again.

“He regrets what he did. There were a series of mistakes made impulsively and foolishly which are consistent, regrettably, with his age.”

Judge Smith sentenced McNally to an intensive community order for 18 months during which he will have to undertake 240 hours of unpaid work and participate in 20 days of rehabilitation activities.

He was also banned from driving for 18 months after which he will have to take an extended retest.

The judge told McNally: “Over the last few weeks in this court I have dealt with a number of cases involving people who were either killed or seriously injured by incidents of dangerous driving.

“When one looks at the speeds you were travelling it is easy to see how a slight error or another vehicle or pedestrian coming into your path, could have had absolutely catastrophic consequences.

“I think you realise that. It was a piece of highly reckless driving.

“However, you are someone who, apart from this, has a very positive background and have made a positive contribution to society.”