A BANNED driver who got behind the wheel escaped custody -- and magistrates told him that prison would have had a "dire" effect on him and his employment.

The Burnley bench had heard how Darren Lea Johnson, 30, was spotted by police driving a vehicle and parking it up and when stopped, agreed he was disqualified until March 2001. He had been banned for 18 months, after being convicted of driving with excess alcohol.

Johnson, of Napier Street, Nelson, admitted driving whilst disqualified and without insurance, on April 2. He was fined £300, with £60 costs, and disqualified from driving for six months, to run concurrently with his present ban.

John Rusius, defending, said Johnson admitted what he had done straight away and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. He had spent time in custody and the risk of re-offending was minimal. The defendant was very worried about the consequences of his behaviour, as he was in full-time employment.