A BANNED driver got behind the wheel to get from his home in Manchester to a trial with Darwen football club.

Blackburn magistrates heard Sereign Mbye was stopped by police as he left the M65 motorway because his car flagged up as having no insurance.

Mbye, 20, of Enstone Drive, Manchester, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without insurance.

He was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months after the magistrates heard the recent ban was imposed for an offence of dangerous driving.

He was made subject to a curfew for six weeks between 8pm and 6am and ordered to pay £115 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

Mohamed Patel, defending, said his client had no money to get to Darwen.

The car belonged to his uncle, who died in December, and he foolishly decided to use it to attend a trial at the football club.