A BANNED driver bought a van and drove it along a motorway without a licence or insurance after hearing his father was seriously ill, a court heard yesterday.
Carl Orchard, 24, was arrested by police after the van broke down on the A1(M) at Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, in January. He pleaded guilty at South Durham Magistrates' Court to driving while disqualified and without insurance.
Annelise Haugstad, prosecuting, said he had twice been disqualified from driving.
Graham Ablett, in mitigation, said refuse worker Orchard, of Oldham, Lanc-ashire, had "faced up to this matter fairly and squarely".
When he got the call to say his father was ill, he panicked and set off for Tyneside.
"His father is terminally ill with cancer," said Mr Ablett.
Magistrates' chairman Terry Wright said prison had been considered because of Orchard's previous convictions. Instead, he was given six penalty points, a 12-month rehabilitation order and 60 hours' community service.
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