A GUN plotter who was sentenced to nine years in prison for his role in a shooting found himself back in court – this time having a lesser conviction overturned.

Hasriat Omar Khan was jailed after being convicted in his absence of conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent after a shotgun blast at a house in Beaconsfield Street, Haslingden, in May 2017.

That trial started on March 5, but weeks earlier, on February 20, Khan failed to attend Burnley Magistrates Court where he was convicted in his absence of driving his Audi without insurance on March 18, 2018, in Burnley Road, Accrington.

After being convicted of that offence, Khan, most recently of Bishop Street, Accrington, but then of Glebe Street, Great Harwood, was given six penalty points and fined £660. He was also told to pay £150 costs and a £66 victim surcharge.

However he appeared before Judge Sara Dodd at Burnley Crown Court to appeal against that conviction and sentence.

The court heard how the arresting officer, PC Archer had incorrectly taken down the Audi’s registration plate, recording it as FN15GJD instead of FN15GDV.

That meant even though Khan presented the correct paperwork, officers proceeded with the prosecution as they thought he was not actually insured on the vehicle he was seen driving.

Judge Dodd allowed the appeal and the driving without insurance conviction was dismissed.

This latest court appearance comes a week after Khan was given 16 weeks in custody for driving without due care and attention, driving while disqualified and without insurance.

That conviction relates to the incident during Khan’s three and a half months on the run.

Blackburn magistrates were told how last Monday Khan drove away from police when they tried to stop him after being tipped off to his whereabouts.

But a “stinger” was deployed, deflating all four tyres, and he was arrested.

He will be sentenced by Judge Heather Lloyd for breaching bail conditions over his failure to attend his weapon conspiracy trial at Preston on July 8.