A BANNED driver who led police on a 75mph chase through the streets of Hyndburn has been jailed.

Father-of-three Bilal Amin, 22, jumped red lights, went over a roundabout at speed and even span out of control, Preston Crown Court heard was told.

Prosecuting, Kimberley Obrusik said unemployed Amin was initially seen by police driving his silver Volkswagen Golf erratically in Great Harwood, at around 1.45am on November 5. Officers switched their blue lights on and attempted to pull Amin over but he sped off, the court was told.

The car was later spotted in Sparth Road, Great Harwood and although an attempt was made to pull Amin over, he failed to stop again.

During what Ms Obrusik described as a ‘prolonged pursuit’ towards the town centre, Amin jumped red lights, travelled at speeds of up to 75mph in 30mph residential areas and hit a roundabout at speed.

Ms Obrusik said while he was travelling in a national speed limit area, he was confronted by a stationary lorry blocking his side of the road. Rather than slow down the court heard how Amin went around the vehicle ‘blind’ and at speed, risking a fatal collision.

Further along the road a car pulled out of a junction, forcing Amin to brake. The court heard because of the slippery road conditions, the Volkswagen went in to a tail spin and ended up an embankment. Ms Obrusik said: “The vehicle didn’t stop there. Again it reached speeds of 70mph in residential areas.”

The court heard when the car was eventually stopped Amin got out and attempted to run away, but was apprehended and arrested by police.

He was found to be carrying 16 wraps of cocaine, which the court heard he said was for his own personal use.

Amin, of Milkstone Road, Rochdale, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving without a licence or insurance, driving whilst disqualified and possession of a class A drug. Earlier this year Amin was sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment, with a 15-month disqualification for dangerous driving, driving without a licence or insurance and fraudulent use of registration documents for a vehicle. He committed his latest offence while he was still subject to the disqualification.

Defending Neil Howard said his client had been unable to find work after his release from prison and had turned to drugs.

Mr Howard said: “It is pure fortune that nobody was seriously injured by his actions. In retrospect he is very remorseful.”

Judge Simon Newell jailed Amin for 18 months and banned him from driving for four years. A destruction order was made for the drugs and Amin was told to forfeit his car to the police.