A DISQUALIFIED driver was seen by police on three occasions driving a car or riding a motorbike.

Blackburn magistrates heard that when he was on the bike Murgatroyd "pulled a wheelie" before giving police the slip.

The court was told he had only recently been released from a prison sentence imposed for disqualified driving.

Murgatroyd, 19, of Burnley Road, Padiham pleaded guilty to three sets of offences of driving while disqualified, without insurance and without due care and attention. He was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison suspended for 24 months, ordered to do 250 hours unpaid work and pay £115 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

Parveen Akhtar, prosecuting, said Murgatroyd was seen driving a Peugeot but got away at high speed despite there being snow on the road. He was seen twice on a motorbike without a helmet and sped off when he saw the police.

Mark Williams, defending, said his client accepted the magistrates were left with the stark choice of immediate custody or a suspended sentence.

"He did a wheelie on the bike but his driving was a long way short of being dangerous on each occasion," said Mr Williams.