DISQUALIFIED driver Paul Whittle showed a total disregard for the order of the court when he was caught behind the wheel three times in the space of five days.

Blackburn magistrates heard that two of the offences were committed on the same day -- the first after he had left court after being dealt with for another matter and the second following him being arrested, charged with the first and released on police bail.

On the third occasion, five days later, Whittle had been to Preston police station to report damage to his car and was stopped as he drove away from there.

Whittle, 29, of Garsdale Road, Ribbleton, Preston, pleaded guilty to three offences of driving while disqualified and without insurance, driving without due care, failing to stop when requested by a police officer and possession of heroin.

Claire Fanning, prosecuting, said Whittle had two previous convictions for driving while disqualified and was disqualified when he appeared before Blackburn magistrates for the drugs offence on April 24. Shortly after leaving court he was seen driving a Nissan Sunny and was arrested and taken to Blackburn police station.

Whittle was charged with disqualified driving and released on police bail but was again seen driving shortly after his release.

"This time there was a pursuit and he refused to stop," said Miss Fanning. Damage was caused when he crashed into a wall and the police were not able to complete the pursuit because of the danger involved."

On April 29, Whittle went into Preston police station to report some damage to his car and was later seen driving again.

The magistrates ordered the preparation of pre-sentence reports and said that the likely outcome would be a custodial sentence. Whittle was remanded in custody until May 17.