A BANNED driver has appeared in court for driving whilst disqualified, again.

Stuart Lee Wright, who has 33 previous convictions for 58 offences including driving whilst disqualified, was caught behind the wheel of a Ford Transit Connect on January 16 this year.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court heard yesterday (Wednesday, September 23) that the 36-year-old was also driving without insurance.

Rachel Butt, prosecuting, said the defendant was stopped by police after they received intelligence that the defendant was driving the vehicle whilst disqualified.

Tom Morgan, mitigating, said his client had served many a prison sentence which “did not cause him any great anxiety” however his home situation had changed and he was anxious to stay at home for his family.

Wright, of Melsonby Crescent, Darlington, pleaded guilty to driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance.

District Judge Roger Lowe handed him an eight-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months and ordered him to pay £122 costs and victim surcharge.