Menace driver hadn't passed his test

1:12pm Friday 13th July 2007

A "MENACE" who got behind the wheel while banned also had seven convictions for having no insurance - but had never passed a driving test.

Burnley magistrates heard how jobless Mark Anthony Entwistle, 34, had drugs in the vehicle but told police: "It's only a bit. It's hardly worth mentioning."

The defendant, of Redvers Street, Burnley, admitted driving while disqualified, no insurance, possessing amphetamine and failing to surrender and was resentenced after breaching a curfew order.

He was given an 18- month community order, with 12 months supervision, 120 hours unpaid work and was banned for two years. He must also pay £65 costs.

Sentencing, bench chairman Tony Winder told Entwistle he had shown a blatant disregard for motoring laws and said: "You are a menace on the road and a danger to people."

Mark Williams, defending, said Entwistle, who was not claiming benefits and did not have any income, had been mistaken about the length of time he had been banned for.