LUCKY James Ward is today a free man despite appearing in court for the third time this year for driving while disqualified.Ward, 19, of Gayfer Avenue, Kesgrave, was spared jail and received a combination order.

LUCKY James Ward is today a free man despite appearing in court for the third time this year for driving while disqualified.

Ward, 19, of Gayfer Avenue, Kesgrave, was spared jail and received a combination order.

He will have to do 100 hours of community work and attend a general offending behaviour course for 18 months after he pleaded guilty to his third offence of driving while disqualified and for having no insurance.

Ward had been banned from driving for a year in April 2003, but returned to South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court in February and March 2004 after he drove twice while disqualified.

Stephen Colman, prosecuting, said that Ward was charged for the third time after he was stopped at about 9.30pm on April 3 on the A14 in Trimley St Martin.

Dino Barricella, mitigating, stressed that Ward knew he could have been sent to prison for the offences.

Mr Barricella said: "He is sorry for what he has done and he has shown an awareness of his mistake. He is really remorseful for what he has done.

"At the time of this offence he had lost his accommodation by virtue of a collapsed relationship and that caused him some stress and depression.

"He was in turmoil and that is why he committed this offence.

"Since this time he has sorted out a lot of problems. He is now in a relationship and that is going well and he is now employed as a building labourer.

"He has realised he needs help and wants help. He is getting his life back on track by getting a job."

Bench chairwoman Jacqueline Holmes told Ward: "At first look at this offence and in light of previous ones, it would seem that a custody sentence was the most suitable way to deal with it.

"However, we heard from Mr Barricella that you have been taking steps to sort out the mess that you have got into."

As well as the 100 hours of community work and the 18 months attending a general offending behaviour course, he will also have six points on his next driving licence. He received no additional financial penalty for driving with no insurance.