A SELF-employed Darlington roofer has been banned from driving for nine months after racking up 16 points on his driving licence.

Police officers had responded to reports that Evan Pearcy, of Prior Street, had been stumbling around his van before climbing in and starting the ignition at around 8am on Wednesday, May 4.Pearcy was arrested after he was seen to move from the driver’s seat to the passenger’s side after noticing police were close to his white Citroen van parked on West Auckland Road.

The 38-year-old previously accrued six points on his licence after he was found slumped behind the wheel of his car in December 2014 after a Boxing Day night out.

And a further ten points were handed to Pearcy after he failed to provide the police with a specimen of breath for speeding offences.

Amrit Jandoo, mitigating, told Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, May 26, that Pearcy had been drinking heavily in the days running up to this month’s incident.

Mr Jandoo said: “He had various financial matters that he had been taking care of and various bills and loans that him and his ex-partner had been squabbling over.

“Where the van was parked was a short walk from his home.

“He accepts he doesn’t have any defence to it as he was likely he was going to drive that vehicle.”

Chairman of the bench, Esme Mason, ordered Pearcy to pay £268 in fines and costs.

Ms Mason said: “From today you are not allowed to drive on any road and if you do drive while disqualified, it’s a very serious offence and you will face a very stiff sentence if you come before the court.”