A LATE night McDonalds drive-thru resulted in a further ban for a disqualified driver.

Blackburn magistrates heard Lee Heckingbottom responded to a distress call from his cousin and ended up at the takeaway at 3.45am.

Heckingbottom, 38, of Amberwood Drive, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without insurance. He was made subject to a community order for six months with 10 days' rehabilitation, fined £200 with £85 costs and £90 victim surcharge and banned from driving for 16 months.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said Heckingbottom was banned in November for 12 months for driving with excess alcohol.

She said police were at the M65 services when they saw Heckingbottom's vehicle which a computer check revealed was registered to a disqualified driver. He was stopped as he was about to leave and told the officers it had been a stupid decision to go for some food.

Ben Leech, defending, said on the evening of the offence his client got a call from his cousin who was in a distressed state.

She had previously been the victim of domestic violence and he made the decision to drive to her house in Darwen.

"After he had picked her up they went for some food and he knows that both decisions were foolish," said Mr Leech.