A TEENAGER sent to detention after getting behind the wheel while banned has won his freedom.

Naveed Yaqub, 18, was told the court had decided to give him a chance.

Mr Recorder Querelle, sitting with two justices, added Yaqub had the support of his family and now had a job to go to -- but stressed he should not drive there.

He added the appellant ignored court orders, had given a false name to police and two days after offending and being bailed was back driving the same car.

Yaqub, of Castle Street, Nelson, had earlier been given a four months detention and training order by the youth court at Reedley, after being convicted of two counts of driving while disqualified and using an uninsured vehicle and one of police obstruction. He was given 180 hours community punishment instead and was banned from driving for 12 months.

Martin Hackett, for Yaqub, said the appellant had now served 17 days in custody, the equivalent of a month sentence and it had been a warning shot across his bows.

The sentence had been a sobering lesson for Yaqub.

His parents were shocked at what he had done as he came from a law abiding family and his parents had never had any involvement with the police. Mr Hackett added Yaqub now had a job to go to in Manchester.