Banned driver warned he faces prison

5:03pm Thursday 6th September 2007

A DRIVER who got behind the wheel for the fourth time while banned has been warned he faces jail.

Burnley magistrates heard how jobless Paul Farran, 35, was caught in the early hours carrying diesel for a Transit van.

The defendant told police a man was going to pick the vehicle up, but officers believed he had been behind the wheel.

The defendant, of Clayton Street, Colne, admitted driving while disqualified and no insurance. He was bailed until October 1, for a pre-sentence report and the bench said they were not ruling out custody.

Wendy Chappell, prosecuting, said Farran had been banned for three years in October 2005, for driving while disqualified.

About 1am, police in Burnley Road, Hapton, spoke to Farran, who was carrying a plastic container. He said it was diesel for a van left in Huncoat which a man was going to pick the van up.

Glen Smith, defending, said Farran did not like claiming benefits and earned a living selling scrap.

The solicitor went on: "The defendant commits survival offences to try to earn his living."