A BANNED driver caught riding a scooter through a field has appeared at court.

Ethan Daniel Fairley was spotted by police driving a Piagglo scooter with no licence plates through Malvern Field in Seaham.

The 20-year-old pleaded guilty to driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance on June 22 this year.

Harry Hadfield, prosecuting, said: "Police saw the defendant riding a scooter through a field which is popular with pedestrians, dog walkers and children.

"Police activated the blue lights but the defendant did not stop."

After further investigation police discovered Fairley was disqualified from driving in August last year following a conviction for aggravated vehicle taking.

Bushra Begum, mitigating, said her client bought the scooter to do up and sell on for a profit.

District Judge Tim Capstick handed Fairley, of St Barnabas Court, Sunderland, a 12 month community order and ordered him to carry out 60 hours unpaid work.