AN Accrington cricketer was branded a liar by a judge as he tried to win back his driving licence.

Imran Hussain, 25, had earlier been convicted at Hyndburn Magistrates Court of getting behind the wheel while banned but claimed somebody else had been using his driving licence.

Petrol station worker Hussain,of Blackburn Road, had earlier been convicted of driving while disqualified, banned for a year and fined £150. He appealed against the sentence at Burnley Crown Court.

Recorder Howard Bentham, QC, sitting with two justices, told Hussain his mitigation was dishonest, the bench did not believe it and he was lucky they did not increase the sentence.

The judge went on: "You failed to give evidence on oath despite our invitation.

"You didn't complain about the licence being stolen when it was stolen and you have made no application for a fresh licence. We think you are a liar."

Recorder Bentham added there was no merit at all in Hussain's appeal and the bench had considered raising the penalty.

His appeal was thrown out and Hussain was told to pay £208 costs.

Russell Edmondson, for Hussain, told the court the appellant was adamant somebody else had been using his driving licence which had been stolen. The previous disqualification against Hussain related to that other person and Hussain had no knowledge of any ban.

The appellant realised he could have told the lower court about the licence being stolen. Hussain was under the firm belief that he had not been disqualified when he was stopped by police.

Mr Edmondson told the bench the case was one of "culpable neglect," rather than "wilful defiance".

The barrister said Hussain, father of a young child, played cricket for Accrington every weekend. He had admitted the allegation and had a lack of criminal convictions.

Mr Edmondson urged the bench to remove the 12-month ban and the "burden" it placed on the appellant and to give him penalty points on his licence instead.

He went on :"That would clearly serve as a salutory reminder to the appellant."