A SOLDIER who got behind the wheel three weeks after being banned has kept his freedom, but faces another year off the road.

Mohammed Usman, 19, had been disqualified on February 14 but was caught driving on March 7, Burnley Magistrates heard.

The defendant, of Kibble Grove, Brierfield, who is currently off work sick after being injured in a road accident, was fined £350, with £55 costs, and banned for 12 months. He admitted driving while disqualified and not having insurance.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said Usman admitted in police interview he had had a letter from his solicitor telling him of the disqualification.

David Leach, defending, said Usman had not been aware he was disqualified. He had had a letter telling him he was due in court that day.

The defendant had suffered a shoulder injury in a road accident, after a brick was thrown through a car window.

The military had stopped his pay and he currently had no income at all. Usman was intending to go back to his unit within the next four weeks and if he was sent to custody that would obviously have a detrimental effect on his career.