A FORMER security guard who stole a workmate's driving licence and then got a £4,000 loan pretending to be him, has been sent to jail.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Martyn Prestage, 44, had been sent to prison for 12 months during the time he was a guard and a judge said that should have taught him a lesson.

Judge Raymond Bennett added the use of licences to commit fraud was very prevalent -- and in Prestage's job he should have known better.

Prestage, of Albert Street, Oswaldtwistle, was given a two-month sentence, after earlier admitting obtaining by deception. He had been committed for sentence by Hyndburn Magistrates.

Sara Dodd, prosecuting, said the defendant got a loan from Lombard Direct using the details of Brian Sugden. In the early part of 1997, Mr Sugden was working as a heavy goods vehicle driver at a site where Prestage was working as a security guard.

Last May, Lombard Direct received a telephone call purporting to be from Mr Sugden, requesting a loan. A cheque for £4,000 was later sent to an address in Oswaldtwistle and that was banked and the cash later withdrawn.

Payments which should have been made to Lombard through direct debit were returned unpaid, and letters sent to the Oswaldtwistle address went unanswered.

Jacob Dyer, defending, said Prestage was not a man of criminal sophistication, did not have an extensive record and did not offend until he was about 40 years old.