A YOUNG banned motorist put himself in jeopardy of a custodial sentence when he agreed to move a van as a favour to a friend.

Declan Anthony Kennedy was given a six-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, at Durham Crown Court in October last year after admitting a series of motoring offences, including dangerous driving and failing to report an accident.

It related to an incident in a Saab car in Peterlee, in February 2017, in which the then 17-year-old caused more than £5,000 worth of damage to parked cars, as he tried to evade a pursuing police car.

Kennedy, now 19, of Welland Close, Peterlee, was back in court after admitting driving while disqualified and without insurance, in breach of the suspended sentence.

The court heard Kennedy was seen driving a Ford Transit van, from Station Town to an industrial estate in Peterlee, where it drew to a halt, on September 18.

Ian West, mitigating, said Kennedy was merely moving the van on behalf of a friend.

Judge Jonathan Carroll said Kennedy knew he should not have driven, adding that he had come close to having the last sentence activated.

But he noted Kennedy performed well on the probation part of the last sentence.

He extended the suspended period of the previous sentence to two years and banned Kennedy from driving for six months, with ten probation activity days.