A FATHER-OF-TWO who flouted six court orders at once was today starting a four month jail term.

Occasional labourer Mark Henry, 25, got behind the wheel while subject to six driving bans and had driven three times over the last six months.

Sentencing him, the bench said he was a repeat offender who had failed to show respect for court orders. Only custody was appropriate. The defendant, of Victor Street, Clayton-le-Moors, admitted driving while disqualified and using an uninsured vehicle on June 7 last year and failing to surrender to custody.

Teresa Feeley, prosecuting, told the court police stopped Henry at Edenfield, spoke to him and smelled drink on his breath.

He was arrested and taken to the police station where it was discovered he was disqualified from driving. The defendant was not over the limit.

When Henry was interviewed, he told police he had owned the car for about a week -and-a-half. The defendant had 26 previous convictions. Bridgette Hibbert, defending, said Henry had been with his family watching sport for the evening . His brother, who was supposed to have been taking him home, had too much to drink. Henry got the family car and set off home.

He realised he had done something "absolutely, ridiculously stupid," and knew how many chances he had been given.