A DRIVER involved in a 130mph chase on the M66, was found sitting on a female passenger’s knee by police.

Jason Ryan, who has been banned from driving five times and has never passed a test, claimed he had not been behind the wheel of the Mercedes.

But at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court he finally admitted dangerous driving, driving whilst banned and having no insurance.

Rachel Faux, prosecuting, told how Ryan had been with a group of four girls who had been drinking and, as he was sober, decided to drive the car on the night of July 10 last year.

Police spotted the car being driven fast on the M60at 10pm and so stopped it on the hard shoulder.

But 34-year-old Ryan then sped off.

“A pursuit ensued, the vehicle driven by the defendant went at speeds exceeding 130mph,” said Miss Faux.

Ryan turned off the M66 at the Pilsworth junction, continuing to hurtle through a red light before coming to a stop half a mile further on.

“The police arrived three to four seconds later. There was nobody in the driver’s seat — the defendant was sitting on the knee of a female in the rear of the vehicle,” said Miss Faux.

In total the four-mile pursuit had lasted three minutes.

The court heard how Ryan, of Trafalgar Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, already has 20 convictions for 63 offences including two for dangerous driving, one for drink driving and five for driving whilst banned.

Rebecca Penfold, defending, said that the father-of-one has stayed out of trouble more recently and has been working as a warehouseman for the last year.

“He is capable of leading a different life,” she stressed.

“He had been with a group of girls who had been drinking and he stupidly decided to drive.”

Recorder Nicholas Clarke QC gave Ryan a 12-month community sentence and made him subject to an 8pm to 6am curfew for four months.

He must also participate in eight days of rehabilitation activities and pay £2,800 towards prosecution costs.

Ryan was banned from driving for two years after which he will have to take an extended test.

Mr Recorder Clarke, who told him that it was only by “good fortune” that he had not killed or injured anyone, added: "You will find it very difficult, because of your antecedent history, to find insurance.

“It is unlikely you will ever be able to drive legally because of your record.”