Man from Liverpool was driving stolen Scania on M6

Alan Abel, 43, had been asked to collect a Scania which was spotted by police as he travelled northbound on the motorway near Penrith just after 2am on July 9 this year.

Carlisle Crown Court was told Abel had no knowledge there was anything suspicious until a patrol vehicle began tailing him.

It was only after he contacted the person for whom he had collected the vehicle that he learned the truck was 'dirty'.

Valued at around £20,000, it had been fitted with cloned number plates.

As he summarised Abel’s offending at today’s sentencing hearing, Judge Michael Fanning observed: “As a result, and aware that police were behind you, you panicked. The police had already put in place a rolling road block. Three lanes (of traffic) in front of you were virtually stationary.

"You took to the hard shoulder.”

Above: Police dashcam footage of the pursuit

During the course of one minute 45 seconds Abel travelled on, pursuing a course of what a prosecutor described as “not very dangerous driving” before the incident ended.

In fact, Abel’s motoring did, just, cross the criminal threshold of dangerous driving and he admitted that offence when brought to court.

In addition, he pleaded guilty to having no insurance and handling stolen goods on the basis that he did not initially know the Scania had previously been pinched.

No owner of the truck had yet been identified.

Mitigation for Abel, of Shaftesbury Avenue, Liverpool, was given by lawyer Marion Weir, who said for professional driver would be forced to seek alternative employment.

“In my respectful submission these are offences that are totally out of character,” said Ms Weir, pointing out that Abel had no previous convictions.

Judge Fanning imposed a 12-month community order through which Abel must complete 200 hours’ unpaid work. He was also banned from driving for 12 months and must pass an extended re-test before his licence is returned to him.

The pursuit didn't last long, with police apprehending the driver (Image: Cumbria Police)

“There was no injury, collision or damage,” said the judge. “I have seen many instances of dangerous driving. I have watched many horrible, horrifying videos of people driving dangerously where the risk was very significant indeed; and this is a long way away from these.”

But the judge said of Abel’s driving when he learned the truth about the Scania: “You knew it was stolen and your intention was to get that vehicle away from police and you accept that is dishonest.”