A PROLONGED high-speed police pursuit covered 52 miles in just 24 minutes, at an average speed of 130mph.

Blackburn magistrates heard the chase started on the M6 and took in the M56 towards Manchester Airport before ending on the Edenfield Bypass near Haslingden.

The court was told Mohammed Fitouri drove through a set of roadworks that were being dismantled following a total road closure and where workers were still on the carriageway.

He went through another set of roadworks where only one lane was open at more than 120mph.

Fitouri, 40, of Galloway Street, Glasgow, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving. He was committed in custody to Preston Crown Court to be sentenced.

Scott Parker, prosecuting, said the incident started at 5.15am on Sunday when officers saw a Volkswagen Passat on the hard shoulder of the M6 southbound with its hazard lights on.

They initially thought it had broken down but then saw the driver was slumped over the steering wheel. They pulled up in front of the Volkswagen but as they approached to speak to the driver he put the car in gear and drove off.

“An officer had to step into the first lane of the motorway to avoid being struck by the vehicle,” said Mr Parker.

The police gave chase, reaching speeds of 130mph. As they approached Junction 28, where there had been a full road closure, the officers backed off because there were still workers in the road.

Once through the road works they reactivated their emergency lights and sirens and had to reach 140mph to catch up.

The police helicopter became involved in the chase as the defendant raced towards junction 26 where road works had closed two lanes of the motorway.

“The defendant went through those in excess of 120mph,” said Mr Parker. “He continued towards the Thelwall Viaduct, undertaking and overtaking travelling in excess of 130mph.”

On the M56 Greater Manchester police took over the pursuit and they eventually stopped Fitouri on the Edenfield Bypass.

“The risk to other road users was extremely high,” said Mr Parker. “The 52-mile pursuit took just 24 minutes.”

He said a drug analysis of the defendant’s blood was taking place.

Nick Dearing, defending, said his client, an asylum seeker, accepted the offence was not within the sentencing powers of the magistrates court.