A dangerous driver only stopped after crashing a stolen vehicle into a police car.
A judge said it was a 'miracle' no one was hurt after 21-year-old Kane Bowen led officers on a high speed chase.
Bowen, from Chorlton, was spared jail after Manchester Crown Court heard the incident was 'very much out of character'.
Prosecutors told how police spotted a Skoda in Stockport, which had been stolen during a burglary two days earlier.
Police monitored the car, which Bowen was driving, and decided to use a stinger to try and stop it.
Bowen drove over the stinger, but it seemed to have 'little effect', prosecutor Huw Edwards said.
He then increased his speed, mounted the pavement and undertook traffic, the court heard.
The car moved onto Longley Lane, reaching speeds of more than 70mph in a 30mph zone.
Officers noticed a passenger in the car wearing a balaclava who was 'waving' a hammer around.
Bowen had moved onto Sharston Road in Wythenshawe, reaching speeds of 45mph.
Soon after, he went the wrong way around a roundabout.
Another police car had joined to help the other officers, and positioned the vehicle to block Bowen.
But Bowen crashed into the front of the police car.
He and his passenger got out and ran off.
Bowen was stopped as he tried to climb a fence, as police threatened to use a Taser.
The court heard Bowen, who was 19 at the time of the incident, in November 2018, has no previous convictions.
Defending, Max Saffman said the incident was 'out of character' for Bowen, who has worked in warehouses and completed a gas engineering course at college.
He said Bowen had 'suspicions' the car was stolen, and he 'panicked' when the police became involved.
Mr Saffman said it was fortunate no one was hurt 'or even killed' during the incident.
Sentencing, Judge Hilary Manley told the defendant: "You drove a stolen car dangerously. You reached speeds in excess of 70mph in a 30mph zone.
"It is a miracle you didn't cause anyone any harm."
The judge said Bowen's driving put the police at risk.
"You would have had yourself to blame if any of those officers hadn't returned home to their family after that incident," the judge added.
Bowen, of Calderdale Avenue, Chorlton, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and aggravated vehicle taking.
He was sentenced to a two year community order, after the judge said there were 'very good prospects of rehabilitation' and that there had been an 'unconscionable' delay in bringing the case to court.
Bowen must also complete 150 hours of unpaid work, and 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
