A MOTORIST who drove in dangerous manner has avoided being sent to prison.

Saul Gardner was found to have ‘grossly exceed the speed limit’ after getting behind the wheel.

The 31-year-old did so while without a valid licence to drive the vehicle and without third-party insurance.

He was subsequently charged with dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, driving without a licence and driving without insurance.

Gardner pleaded guilty to all charges and appeared to be sentenced at Warrington Magistrates’ Court last Wednesday, August 3.

Georgia Leyland, prosecuting, explained how the defendant was driving a BMW 118 on January 22 this year.

The court heard how he was spotted by police driving in a dangerous manner, failing to stop for officers on Winwick Link Road, the M6 and the A49 Lodge Lane near Haydock Island.

This saw him ‘grossly’ exceed the speed limit and ignore road signs and traffic signals – all while he knew he should not be driving unaccompanied.

Magistrates took all of this into account, as well as the defendant’s mitigation and guilty pleas, and concluded that the offences did merit custody, but that the sentence could be suspended.

This was due to him demonstrating a realistic prospect of rehabilitation, as well as being a hard-working man with a residence.

Gardner, of Elmsbury Street in Ashton-in-Makerfield, was sentenced to 14 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months.

He was also disqualified from driving for two years and must pass an extended driving test before getting behind the wheel again.

In addition, he was ordered to pay court costs of £85 and a surcharge to find victim services of £128, as well as complete 35 rehabilitation activity requirement days.