Atkinson, 22, was convicted of dangerous driving, failing to stop for an officer, driving without insurance and possessing a class B drug after trying to evade police in Barrow and again in Dalton.

He was charged with failing to stop on Barrow’ Greengate Street on May 9 and again the next day, when he sped past a roads police officer on the way out of Barrow.

Prosecutor Lee Dacre said the second incident occurred at 11.30pm.

“There was a vehicle pursuit in Barrow after the driver failed to stop for police,” he said.

“The officer moved onto Dalton Lane and stopped his vehicle in the centre of the carriageway.

“However he says that the defendant’s vehicle approached and went past his vehicle at very high speed.

“He guessed the driver was travelling at 60mph in a 30mph zone.

“The vehicle was subsequently spotted in Dalton.

“An officer came across it in Broughton Road.”

Mr Dacre said the defendant ‘erratically’ reversed down Broughton Road and onto Prince Street.

He said he came to a stop after hitting a van parked on the road.

The prosecutor said no damage was caused to the van.

The court heard police wanted to pull over the defendant originally due to a problem with a light over the number plate of his car, a Volkswagen Golf, and discovered it was not insured.

Michael Graham, defending, said Atkinson had been working extra hours in his job as a support worker for adults with autism and had turned to cannabis to cope with the stress on top of other medical issues.

“He was working 60 hours a week at the time and spending most of his time at the hospital,” he said.

“He has used the drug as a de-stresser.

“He failed to stop on the basis that he was in possession of a controlled drug.

“His anxiety levels had been heightened and he worried what would happen if he was arrested. In reality he probably would’ve got a caution.”

Magistrates fined Atkinson, of Slater Street in Dalton, £260 for failing to stop for officers as well as a £32 victim surcharge.

He will be sentenced at Preston Crown Court on July 17 for dangerous driving, driving without insurance and possessing a class B drug. He received an interim driving ban.