A MAN with a string of convictions for driving while disqualified was jailed for five months yesterday.

Richard Henry, 28, of Stuart Avenue, Richmond, appeared at Northallerton Magistrates' Court to answer charges of driving while disqualified and without insurance.

Martin Butterworth, prosecuting, told the court Henry was banned from driving for 18 months in December 2002 and ordered to take an extended test before he could regain his licence.

He was arrested earlier this year after police saw him driving. He had a provisional licence, but no learner plates or supervising driver.

Mr Butterworth said Henry's number of convictions for driving while disqualified may be in double figures.

Alan Meehan, mitigating, said: "He thought that by getting a provisional licence he was no longer disqualified. Clearly, he was wrong.

"I would ask you to distinguish it from ordinary cases of driving while disqualified. He has taken the first steps, but not the full steps to being legally qualified."

Magistrates jailed him for five months and banned him from driving for a year.

Chair of the bench Pauline Hansom told him: "You continue to drive a car while disqualified and you have a flagrant disregard for the orders of this court, as can be seen from your record.

"You have been a persistent, serial offender over many years."