A MAN who tried to conceal car keys from police by hiding them in his buttocks has been banned from driving.

Andrew Simpson Hood was arrested after police officers found him sat in a Jeep in Coundon, County Durham, after a member of the public raised concerns over men trying car door handles.

The Crown Prosecution Service stated in Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday that Hood went on trial in Peterlee following the incident on February 14.

Hood claimed he was under duress to drive to Motor Tek, in Coundon, however, he was found guilty of driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

Hood told police at the scene he was waiting for a friend, but it was found he had been banned from driving since 1997, and was arrested.

Hood, of County Durham, would not tell police where the keys to the Jeep were, however he was strip-searched and the keys were found in his backside.

He was given a 12-month community order and banned from driving for three years.