A MOTORIST who crashed a Ford Ka into a lamppost following a police chase has admitted dangerous driving.

David McGowan, aged 35, of Mossfield Court, Bolton, was behind the wheel of the stolen Ka when police spotted it on Gibraltar Street, Bolton, on September 1, 2019.

During a high speed chase traffic officers pursued the stolen vehicle along several roads, including Ellesmere Street, Park Road, Chorley New Road and Nottingham Drive before the car crashed into a lamppost on Brownlow Way.

Police said the driver attempted to swallow a quantity of drugs.

At Bolton Crown Court McGowan pleaded guilty to to dangerous driving and possessing heroin.

McGowan was initially charged with receiving the stolen car, which had been taken in a burglary earlier that weekend, but denied committing the offence and Judge Graeme Smith was told that the prosecution will be offering no evidence against him.

The case was adjourned for pre-sentence reports on father-of-three McGowan, to be completed.

Rebecca Filletti, defending, told the court that, although McGowan has a lengthy criminal record, before the latest offence, he had stayed out of trouble for two years.

"The defendant has made significant efforts to turn his life around," she said.

"I understand he is now off drugs in their entirety."

The court heard that McGowan is a full-time carer for his disabled father.

Judge Smith will sentence McGowan on February 11 and in the meantime he was granted bail.

"I can't give any indication as to sentence at this stage," Judge Smith told him.