A LORRY driver has walked free from court after he was caught behind the wheel of a car three months after he was banned from the road.

David Benton, 50, told police that he had continued working as a large goods vehicle driver since he was disqualified for drink driving.

But magistrates decided to order him to do community service rather than sending him to prison for the offence.

They were told Benton was given a one-year driving ban when he appeared before Swindon magistrates in October last year. But in January he was stopped on Whitborne Avenue behind the wheel of a Nissan Sunny and arrested.

Benton, of Crosby Walk, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without insurance.

Andrew Hobson, defending, said: "It is clear that this was a straightforward driving while disqualified committed by a man who has not in the recent past engaged in any sort of offending.

Magistrates ordered he do 200 hours community service and pay £55 towards the costs of the prosecution. They declined to impose a new ban reminding him that the same one was still in force.