A YOUTH sent to custody for getting behind the wheel while banned has had the term cut, even though a judge said he would have liked to have given him a sentence twice as long.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Andrew Parkinson, 18, caught red-handed, had been given the maximum six month sentence by magistrates but claimed he had not been given credit for his guilty plea.

Parkinson had the term reduced by 14 days by Judge Raymond Bennett, who said it was a great pity the maximum penalty for driving while disqualified was six months -- and added perhaps one day Parliament would consider whether or not there should be a greater sentence for blatant offenders.

The judge, sitting with two justices, said the Court of Appeal had stated credit ought to be given for guilty pleas, although not necessarily in cases where a defendant was caught red-handed.

He added there was no 'moral merit,' in Parkinson's appeal, but the bench thought it ought to follow the Court of Appeal's guidelines.

Parkinson, of Empress Street, Accrington, had appealed against the sentence of the Hyndburn Magistrates.

He had been convicted of two cases of driving while disqualified and no insurance and one of obstructing a police officer and had been sent to a Young Offenders' Institution.

Parkinson had also been banned from driving for two years.

The court heard he committed the first disqualified driving offence not long after the ban was imposed and was given bail. He struck again soon afterwards.

Martin Hackett, for the appellant, said he was only 18 and had a relatively limited criminal history. When interviewed by police, he made admissions and he pleaded guilty when he appeared before the lower court.