A MAN whose mother gave him a kidney to save his life committed crime because he thought he was dying.

Father-to-be Garry Stephen Morgan, 23, said to be a persistent offender, was yesterday spared jail after getting behind the wheel while banned. Burnley Magistrates Court heard that Morgan had earlier committed crime because his doctor told him he was dying. But Morgan, who clocked up his latest offence after the transplant, now looked forward to a new life with his young family.

The bench, who wished him well, gave him a 12-month community rehabilitation order, to include the Think First programme, and ordered he pay £30 costs.

Morgan, of Keighley Avenue, Colne, admitted driving while disqualified and using an uninsured vehicle, on June 27.

Philippa White, prosecuting, said the defendant was stopped in Nelson in the early hours after he and three other men had been fishing.

Rachel Adamson, defending, said she hoped to persuade the court Morgan deserved a chance. Morgan's illness had come to light after he offered to give his father a kidney.

The defendant had also suffered a "tragic accident" while working as a slaughterman in Colne.

Miss Adamson told the court Morgan was still having difficulty with his health, although it seemed the operation had been a success.

He now goes to hospital for checks every two months and takes a total of 22 tablets a day, including steroids, anti-rejection pills and medication for blood pressure.

Miss Adamson said the defendant was very grateful for the kidney donation by his mother and that he had been given his life back.

She passed the magistrates a report in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph that told how Morgan had put forward his mother Lynne for the Pride of East Lancashire Gift of Life Award, describing it as a "moving article."

She said Morgan's girlfriend, who is expecting their child in September, was angry over what he had done and was trying to keep him on the straight and narrow.

She added the defendant had helped to pull three victims from a motorway smash at the weekend and had talked to a trapped man until he could be rescued.

Miss Adamson went on: "He is a pleasant young man. He gets it wrong sometimes but perhaps the Think First programme will help him to get it right in the future."