A BANNED Suffolk motorist set off to drive to work because a colleague had failed to give him a lift, a court heard.Nigel Bond, of Conway Close, Ipswich, was caught by police on the way to his job as a ground worker at the Ravenswood development.

A BANNED Suffolk motorist set off to drive to work because a colleague had failed to give him a lift, a court heard.

Nigel Bond, of Conway Close, Ipswich, was caught by police on the way to his job as a ground worker at the Ravenswood development.

The 33-year-old was banned from driving for two years by South East Suffolk magistrates for drink-driving in February this year.

Gareth Davies, prosecuting, told the court that a policeman spotted Bond pulling into a lay-by near Maidenhall Green at about 7am on September 11.

He said: "The officer drove to the same lay-by and spoke to the driver. He was aware that Mr Bond was a disqualified driver."

He was arrested and interviewed at the police station. During interview he admitted the offence and also that he had no MOT or insurance.

Charles Riddleston, mitigating, said: "He would normally get a lift to work at about 6.40am. However, the lift didn't turn up."

He added that Bond had started the job on September 3 and "didn't want things to go wrong – so he drove."

At yesterday's > hearing at South East Suffolk Magistrates Court Bond was sentenced for the offences. He entered guilty pleas to charges of driving while disqualified and having no insurance at court on September 14.

Peter Grimwade, chairman of the bench said: "We consider this to be serious because you were driving so soon after your ban."

Bond was sentenced to a 120-hours community punishment order and banned from driving for two years. He was also fined £250 for having no insurance and ordered to pay £55 costs.

Mr Grimwade warned Bond that if he was to commit a similar offence he could end up behind bars.

"Make sure you don't do it again because you will lose your liberty", he added.