Shock footage shows moment reckless motorist dangerously swerved past traffic before crashing his car despite having TODDLER in the back
His erratic driving was filmed on the helmet camera of a motorcyclist who uploaded the footage to YouTube sparking outrage
A BANNED driver crashed his car after dangerously swerving through traffic with a toddler in the back seat.
Reckless Ryan Walkden, 28, was seen lifting the child into his arms after overtook traffic, jumped a red light and smashed into some railings.
His erratic driving was filmed on the helmet camera of a motorcyclist who uploaded the footage to YouTube, racking up thousands of views.
Walkden was jailed for 20 weeks for dangerous driving and a further eight weeks for driving while disqualified at Bolton Crown Court.
The crash happened in Darwen Road near Bromley Cross War Memorial, Greater Manchester, at 4.30pm on October 30 last year, seconds after he was filmed wildly swerving around traffic in nearby Blackburn Road.
Walkden was filmed stepping out of the wreckage of the 2003-reg blue MG ZR, opening the rear driver's side door and lifting the toddler into his arms before making off with a woman who was his passenger.
PC Dave Charnock, who investigated the incident said: "The driver, Ryan Walkden, showed a clear disregard for the safety of not only his two passengers, one of whom was a young child, but also many members of the public who were travelling around in rush hour simply going about their daily business.
"Had it not been for the head cam footage of a motorcyclist along with the help of many members of the public who contacted police with the name, Walkden may have never been traced.
"Fortunately, the male has been brought to justice and I would like to thank everyone who passed information to the police.
"In almost 20 years as a police officer its still remains some of the most shocking footage I have ever seen and the outcome could have been far more tragic than it was."
Walkden had struck several other vehicles before the collision including one in Egerton Road near Belmont.
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Walkden, of Blackbank Street, Astley Bridge, admitted dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and having no insurance at Bolton Magistrates' Court before being committed for sentenced at Bolton Crown Court on December 2.
However Walkden failed to turn up and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
He soon handed himself into the police and was brought before the same court for sentencing on December 5.
Walkden was jailed for 20 weeks for dangerous driving and a further eight weeks for driving while disqualified.
He received no separate penalty for having no insurance and was banned from driving for two years with an extended re-test and was ordered to pay court costs.
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