A DRIVER stopped by police said he didn't know he had been banned in his absence under the totting up procedure.

Blackburn magistrates heard the only notification of the ban received by Muhammed Naeem Qadeer arrived through his letter box after he had been stopped by the police.

Qadeer, 28, of Goodshaw Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified. The case was adjourned for a hearing when evidence will be called to establish the facts.

Laura Keegan, prosecuting, said comments made by Qadeer at the roadside suggested he knew of the ban and the court record showed a letter had been sent to his home address.

Duncan Nightingale, defending, said his client maintained he did not know he was banned and that would clearly affect the level of sentence imposed.