A DEFENDANT who admitted an offence during a trial was admonished by a judge for wasting public money.

Mohammed Khan, 27, had earlier admitted using an insurance document with intent to deceive as he gave evidence at Burnley Crown Court.

He escaped jail after Judge Raymond Bennett said he did not suppose he could send him to custody in light of the present prison population.

The judge asked Khan: "Have you any idea how much it costs to run a trial in these courts ? £6,000 a day - that's what it costs the state."

Judge Bennett added the only good thing that could be said for the defendant was that he must have given honest evidence.

He went on: "If you are caught using a false document again, especially an insurance document, you will be going to prison for some time."

Khan, of Southfield Street, Nelson, who had no previous convictions, was also convicted of using an uninsured vehicle. He was given 60 hours community punishment and fined £250.