A BANNED driver who helped himself to his mother's car has been given a 12 month drug treatment and testing order.

Burnley Magistrates heard how John Timothy Kershaw, 34, a drug addict for 20 years, thought he had his mother's permission and believed his ban had run out.

Kershaw also tried to cash a Giro cheque sent to the previous tenant of his house to fund his drug habit, the bench was told.

Kershaw, of Brennand Street, Burnley, admitted taking a vehicle without consent, driving while disqualified, using an uninsured vehicle, failing to surrender to bail, theft and attempted deception.

He was fined £25, banned for 12 months and told to pay £50 costs. The justices told him the treatment order was going to take some hard work, but he would get help with it.