A POLICE officer whose car broke down as he was searching for a red Fiat Punto which had earlier given police the slip was able to identify the driver as the car drove past him.

Blackburn magistrates heard Michael Ben Royal denied being the driver of the car when it was involved in the earlier police pursuit.

Royal, 26, of Cravendale Avenue, Nelson, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without insurance. He was fined £200 with £85 costs and £30 victim surcharge and banned from driving for four months.

Enza Geldard, prosecuting, said the officer became involved in searching for the Punto after it had escaped from a police pursuit. He had driven down Robin House Lane and through two small fords when his car broke down. He was in a passing place waiting for assistance when the Punto came towards him.

"The Punto had to slow down to pass the officer and he had a clear and unobstructed view of the defendant who he knew to be disqualified," said Mrs Geldard. She said Royal was banned until he passed an extended re-test after being convicted of dangerous driving.

Nick Dearing, defending, said his client did not accept any involvement in the pursuit which had taken place two hours before he was seen by the officer. He said Royal completed the ban and believed he was no longer disqualified.