An ‘immature’ learner driver was ‘checking his car worked’ while taking police on a 70mph chase.

Arslan Sajad, 19, had taken his Ford Focus that he had bought recently from West Sussex out for a drive in Blackburn to ‘make sure it was working’ when PC Ingham spotted him at about 7.50pm on June 8.

Beth Pilling prosecuting at Preston Crown Court said that Sajad, of Cedar Street, Blackburn, drove off, with police starting a pursuit through the streets of the town.

Ms Pilling said: “He was driving at 70mph in residential areas and failing to stop.

“He was driving down the wrong side of the dual carriageway, with cars having to swerve out of the way.

“He went the wrong way around a roundabout and went through several red lights.”

Eventually, after several minutes of dangerous driving, Sajad was stopped on Plane Street, with him and his passenger trying to run from the car.

Sajad was arrested, however, the passenger has still not been identified by officers.

Defending, Daniel Fraser, said that Sajad was ‘immature’ and that he made a bad decision by making off from police on that day instead of letting them pull him over.

Mr Fraser said: “He was taking the car to see if it worked. He was going round the corner when he saw the officer.

“He panicked and rather than being stopped for no licence and no insurance, which could have been dealt with in the magistrate's court, he decided to take off.”

Mr Fraser added that Sajad was hoping to get married soon and that he was looking to work for his uncle in Durham.

Recorder Daniel Prowse said that because of his age and the fact that this was his first offence and therefore ‘out of character’ he was able to spare him jail on this occasion.

He said: “You were driving through residential areas at grossly excessive speeds.

“It’s apparent the roads were busy and that some pedestrians had to get out of the way of your vehicle. Other vehicles had to get out of the way of your vehicle.

“It’s only good fortune you did not kill anyone.”

Sajad previously pleaded guilty at Blackburn Magistrates' Court to dangerous driving, driving without insurance, driving without a licence and failing to stop.

He was handed a 10-month sentence, suspended for 18 months. He must also complete 20 rehabilitation days and 200 hours of unpaid work.