A SINGLE father-of-three has been jailed for two months by Burnley magistrates for his third driving while disqualified offence.

Warren Heaton, who also has three previous convictions for drink driving, was told by Carol Stinton, chairman of the bench, that only a custodial sentence was appropriate.

She said: "You have shown a flagrant disregard of court orders."

Heaton, 24, formerly of Grey Street, Burnley, and whose current address Burnley magistrates agreed should not be revealed, admitted driving while disqualified and no insurance, on July 13.

John Wood, prosecuting, told the court that police saw Heaton behind the wheel in the early hours. He was banned until November 1999.

Dermot Woodhead, defending, said after Heaton's release from prison 15 months ago, he knew how seriously courts regarded such offences and set about rebuilding his life helped by the probation service.

He said after Heaton's wife "abandoned" their children, he was left to look after them himself. He had not owned a car since being banned but drove on this one occasion.

He did so because he had received a call to say his girlfriend was being harassed. He borrowed his sister's car and went to collect his girlfriend.

Mr Woodhead added: "He is facing perhaps the inevitable custodial sentence but has been unable to make any arrangements for his children."

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