A BANNED driver, spotted by police behind the wheel, had now "stopped being a criminal" Burnley Magistrates heard.

William Knox Thompson Butler, 27, lived for the care of his six-year- old son and had given up going out looking for trouble and mixing with people likely to bring him into conflict with the law, said his solicitor.

Butler, of Clayton Close, Nelson, was put on probation for 12 months, disqualified from driving for two years and must pay £45 costs after pleading guilty to driving while disqualified, no insurance, no test certificate and resisting or obstructing a constable. He must also attend the car offenders' programme.

Neil White, prosecuting, said Butler was stopped by police. He gave the name William Dowling and produced a birth certificate. That was his birth name and the certificate was his own.

He later told police he gave false details because he knew he was banned until May 2000.

Glen Smith, defending, said Butler had calmed down in terms of offending. There was stability in his life as he lived for the care of his son.

Butler, on a methadone reduction programme, had an on-going relationship with the boy and his mother and they hoped to live together.

If custody was imposed, Butler would lose his stability and perhaps regress into his previous offending habits.

Butler said he had "stopped being a criminal now," and wanted a more sedate and ordinary, down to earth lifestyle, caring for his son.

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