A DISQUALIFIED driver got behind the wheel and drove to his terrified sister's assistance after she rang him in the early hours and said teenage yobs were jumping on the bonnet of her car.

Blackburn magistrates heard the sister and everyone else in the area where she lived were in fear of the gang and the single mother had felt trapped in her home.

Russell Wilkinson, 38, of Manchester Road, Hapton, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without insurance. He was ordered to do 180 hours unpaid work and banned from driving for 18 months.

Charlotte Crane, prosecuting, said Wilkinson was stopped near Whitebirk roundabout at 2.45am. He was banned from driving for a year in December for an excess alcohol offence.

Emma Morrissey, defending, said the defendant's sister had been hysterical when she rang him.

"She said she was effectively being held hostage in her own home by this gang of youths who run riot in the area where she lives," said Miss Morrissey.

"They were jumping up and down on the bonnet of her car and she was terrified. She hadn't called the police because of fear of reprisals."