A 31-YEAR-old man who appeared before Blackburn magistrates for his sixth offence of disqualified driving in eight months has been jailed for 40 weeks.

Blackburn magistrates heard Jarekas Platac was subject to two suspended prison sentences when he was caught behind the wheel in Belvedere Road, Burnley.

Platac, of Holcombe Drive, Burnley, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without insurance.

The suspended sentences were activated and added to 12 weeks for the latest offence to make up the total of 40 weeks.

He was banned from driving for four years and 20 weeks and ordered to pay £115 victim surcharge and £85 costs on his release from prison.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said police saw Platac driving at 1.17 pm and immediately recognised him as a disqualified driver.

“He has already had a chance this year when the first suspended sentence was not activated,” said Miss Allan.

Gareth Price, defending, said flawed decision making was at the heart of his client’s difficulties.

“He seems able to comply with every direction of the court except the one that says don’t get behind the wheel,” said Mr Price. “He has completed his curfew, completed his unpaid work and his rehabilitation activity days all without any problem. However, it doesn’t seem the benefits of these activities have got through because he continues to drive.”

Mr Price said Platac had asked a friend to go to the shop and collect some medication for him. When the friend refused Platac asked to borrow his car and drove himself.

“It was a short journey to his local shop and he should have walked,” said Mr Price.