A 50 YEAR-OLD disqualified driver has been warned he could face jail after punching a woman who offered him a lift home from the pub.

Michael Redpath assaulted Sarah Percival after she said she would drive him home from The Harrow in Wan-borough after he had been drinking there.

When he appeared before magistrates Redpath, of Warneage Green, Upper Wanborough, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without insurance as well as common assault.

Swindon magistrates heard that Redpath, who has a drink problem, was banned from driving for ten years in 1993 following his sixth conviction for drink driving.

Frank Murphy, prose-cuting, said that although he was disqualified he had bought a Vauxhall Cavalier.

"He has recently taken to driving it in drink and his partner cannot stop him because he becomes violent," he told the court.

"On Sunday November 18 he was in the Harrow public house in Wanborough where he was drinking during the day.

"People were concerned and offered to give him a lift."

He said Redpath was arrested two days later and he admitted assault but denied driving.

Di Moreton, defending, said regarding his record of previous convictions com-bined with the common assault that the court would need pre-sentence reports.

Magistrates adjourned the case until January 3 and warned Redpath that he was still banned from the road and custody was an option.