Mark Arthur Jones, 43, from Bury Road, Birkdale was caught driving 11 months into his 12 month ban.

Jones had breached his court order when a police officer saw him driving an LDV Convoy Van. The officer implemented a vehicle check and found that he had no van insurance.

Jones pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and having no insurance. Prosecuting, Mr Edward Hanley noted: “this year he was disqualified for 12 months for driving a motor vehicle [while drunk] , police were on patrol in Birkdale and the police found there was no insurance on that vehicle.”

Jones’s lawyer stated the incident to be “unfortunate” and reminded the jury about the credit crunch and its pressure on a family man: “This offence has come at a time of financial pressure. He has a mortgage of £735 to pay per month and has five children. Had he had the money he would have done the driving course [offered to him when initially sentenced] and got a three month reduction [on the ban]. It’s been a difficult 12 months.”

Jones was sentenced to 150 hours unpaid work, had six penalty points added onto his driving licence and was ordered to pay £65.

Jones was fined £100 for having no insurance.