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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Ashlie Blakey

Terrifying moment driver nearly smashes into police car after cutting across M66 in 100mph chase

This shocking footage shows a lengthy police chase where the driver reached speeds of more than 100mph, drove head-on at traffic and cut across a busy motorway.

Police first spotted the silver Vauxhall Zafira on the M66 motorway on December 18.

The 'reckless' male driver, now identified as 22-year-old Saif Ghalib, was uninsured.

Officers signalled for him to stop but he carried on and led police on a dangerous pursuit for more than 37 minutes.

READ MORE: 'One very lucky driver': Lane shut as car comes off motorway

Footage of the chase shared by Greater Manchester Police shows the car cutting across the busy motorway to reach the slip road, travelling at a speed of almost 100mph.

It also shows Ghalib driving on the wrong side of the road in residential areas, directly into oncoming traffic.

The car drove head-on into oncoming traffic (GMP)

At some points in the pursuit, speeds of up to 60mph are reached on built-up streets.

The driver eventually came to a stop and was arrested.

Ghalib, of Chester Close, Blackburn, was sentenced on Monday (January 24) after being charged with failing to stop a motor vehicle when directed by a police officer, driving a motor vehicle dangerously, driving a motor vehicle otherwise that in accordance with a licence, and use of a motor vehicle in a public place without insurance.

The driver has now been jailed for a year (GMP)

He was jailed for a year and disqualified from driving for 18 months with a requirement to take an extended test.

Police Constable Paul Ashworth, of GMP's Roads Policing Unit, said: "We are committed to making the roads of Greater Manchester safer for everyone. This includes, at the last resort, having to pursue those that risk putting others at harm.

"This action is just one example of the work we do on a daily basis to make our roads a safer place.

"Ghalib's actions behind the wheel that day were unacceptable and irresponsible. He put countless people at harm with his reckless driving.

"Thankfully, no one was injured and we have one less dangerous driver off our roads."

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