A DISQUALIFIED driver jailed in the past for driving while banned is facing a second prison sentence after he was caught ignoring a ban for the FOURTH time.
A DISQUALIFIED driver jailed in the past for driving while banned is facing a second prison sentence after he was caught ignoring a ban for the FOURTH time.
Adam Ward, of Purdis Avenue, Ipswich, was spotted by police driving a white Honda Civic through the town despite being subject to a five-year ban.
The 37-year-old manual worker admitted driving while disqualified during a hearing at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court yesterday.
He also admitted driving with no insurance and obstructing a police officer by giving a false name when he was arrested on October 20.
The court heard that Ward, who works at RAF Woodbridge, was banned from driving for the third time in October 2001 - a ban not due to expire until October next year.
However that did not stop him from getting behind the wheel to give two friends a lift.
Police spotted Ward as he passed through the junction of Berners St and St Matthews Street in Ipswich town centre.
Godfried Duah, prosecuting, said when the officers stopped him Ward gave a false name but his real identity was quickly discovered and he was arrested.
Neil Saunders, mitigating for Ward, said his client had “stupidly picked up some friends” and appealed to the magistrates not to jail Ward.
He said: “He has an unenviable list of previous convictions.
“He expects to go to prison. Unfortunately were he to do that he would lose his job. He would come out and have to start again with no employment.”
Ward was first sentenced for driving while disqualified in 1986. A decade late he received a jail term for again driving while disqualified.
Magistrates told Ward that they considered his latest offence so serious that a custodial sentence was an option.
Graham Barnett, chairman of the bench, adjourned the hearing until November 22 when a report detailing all sentencing options will be presented to the court.
Mr Barnett said: “You had no insurance, you obstructed police and you were carrying passengers.
“We can find no mitigation. Your intention in this was culpable and reckless.”
Ward was released on unconditional bail.
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