A BANNED driver was caught behind the wheel twice on the same day by the same police officer.

Blackburn magistrates heard Razwan Ali Asghar had a passenger in his car on one of the occasions he was seen driving on Melville Street in Burnley.

Asghar, 36, of Halifax Road, Brierfield, pleaded guilty to two charges of driving whole disqualified and without insurance. He was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months, made subject to a community order for 12 months with 25 rehabilitation activity days and ordered to pay £300 costs and £90 victim surcharge. He was banned from driving for five years.

Ruby Mckeague, prosecuting, said Asghar was seen driving at 5.20pm and again just after 7pm when he was stopped and arrested. He made o comment when he was interviewed.

Miss Mckeague said Asghar had convictions for disqualified driving in 2002, 2005 and 2015 when he was banned for five years.

"The aggravating features are his previous record and the two offences being committed on the same day," said Miss Mckeague.

Keith Rennison, defending, said his client accepted he had been "extremely foolish."

"There is no suggestion of a poor standard of driving and they were both short distances but he accepts he should not have driven at all," said Mr Rennison.