A BANNED driver stopped in the early hours because he was speeding admitted drinking and taking cocaine.

Blackburn magistrates heard Sean Lavery failed an initial breath test but by the time he got to the police station was under the limit. But he tested positive for the drug.

Lavery, 33, of Nelson Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to driving while over the limit for a specified drug, driving while disqualified and without insurance. He was banned from driving for 14 months, fined £200 with £85 costs and £32 victim surcharge.

Tracy Yates, prosecuting, said Lavery had been disqualified just two weeks before the incident.

Scott Parker, defending, said the court record showed that Lavery was not aware of the disqualification.

He had not been in court and the notification had not reached him.

“He didn’t set out to deliberately drive while disqualified,” said Mr Parker.

“The car belonged to a friend who asked him to go and get some cigarettes from the all night garage.”