A BANNED driver who caused a crash in which a motorcyclist was killed and then gave police a false name, was jailed yesterday for nine months.

Richard Petty, 30, who has never taken a driving test, turned across the motorcyclist's path on the A171 Guisborough to Whitby Road, east Cleveland, in May last year.

Alan Malcolm, 48, crashed into the side of Petty's Ford Sierra and died later in hospital.

Teesside Crown Court heard that Petty, of Pickering Road, Thornaby, gave his father's name of Richard Dawson to police after the crash. He admitted perverting the course of justice.

Graham Reeds, prosecuting, said Petty had a string of previous convictions, including 11 of driving while disqualified.

He said: "He was using the name of Richard Dawson to prevent being detected driving his heavy goods vehicle. He has never taken a driving test of any kind."

Robin Denny, for Petty, told the court: "He does have an abysmal record."

l Petty was previously sentenced to five months in jail by Guisborough magistrates for careless driving and driving while disqualified.