A YOUNG motorist who rammed a police car during a high-speed chase through Bolton in a stolen car has been told to mend his ways - or risk jail.

Drug-driver Jevan Naylor, 21, also smashed into two other vehicles as he tried to flee from officers in a £36,000 Jaguar, Bolton Crown Court was told.

Naylor, who was high on cannabis at the time of the pursuit had 'hired' the high-powered car to show off in front of his friends, the court heard.

But Judge Graeme Smith, after hearing how the defendant had quit drugs and started work as a trainee tree surgeon, decided not to send him to custody.

Naylor, of Brightmeadow Close, admitted to dangerous driving, driving while under the influence of drugs, having no licence or insurance, failing to stop for police and acquiring criminal property.

He was given a 16-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, with 40 rehabilitation activity days and 300 hours community service. A 12-month driving ban and extended test were also ordered.

Passing sentence, Judge Smith said Naylor was lucky, given the late hour of his driving, he was not before the court for seriously injuring or killing someone due to his driving.

"You have made a positive change in your life though," added the judge.

"You no longer have the friends that were a bad influence, you have the support of your family, you have a good job and you are abstaining from drugs."

Earlier prosecutor Michael Lavery said police first became aware of Naylor in the Jaguar when it was parked up in the Willows Lane area. But when officers later attempted to speak with him he drove off, at one point driving headlong into a Toyota at a junction.

Mr Lavery said the Jaguar then reversed into the police car before the chase continued.

Naylor then drove through red lights at around 90mph, monting the footpath at Bridgeman Place before colliding with another car in Ainsworth Lane.

He was arrested shortly afterwards due to the damage the car had sustained forced him to pull over.

Nick Ross, defending, said his client had shown "naivety and immaturity" throughout. But he was now working full-time and had abandoned his old friends.