A FORMER drug addict had managed to get himself back on the straight and narrow with the help of the Salvation Army, a court was told.

Blackburn magistrates heard that so complete had been the turnaround in Shaun Hartley's life that he was now planning to train to be a counsellor so he can help other users.

Hartley, 34, of the Salvation Army Hostel, Heaton Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without insurance, and failing to stop when required by a police officer. He was made subject to a community rehabilitation order for 12 months, disqualified from driving for 18 months and ordered to pay £120 costs.

The court heard that Hartley was seen on a garage forecourt by a police officer who recognised him as a disqualified driver. The officer signalled for him to stop, but Hartley sped off.

Louise Voce, defending, said at the time of the offences, in September, Hartley had been injecting amphetamine and didn't really care what happened to him.