A YOUNG mum caught behind the wheel while banned from driving did not know she had been disqualified, a court heard.

Burnley magistrates were told how Lisa Marie Gorton, 22, had been given a 60-hour community punishment order for the offence, last February, but breached it.

Gorton, of Accrington Road, Burnley, now expecting another child, admitting failing to comply with the order.

The bench revoked it and fined her £75.

The court was told when Gorton was spotted driving, in a borrowed car on Christmas Eve 2000, she asked police: "Can't you let me off?"

Richard Taylor, defending, said Gorton had had serious difficulties in her life. She had fallen out with her mother, who had been one of her main supporters.

The defendant had not been in court when she was banned from driving and had had no notice of it whatsoever.

A family tragedy had knocked her sideways, Gorton had suffered clinical depression and had stayed out of trouble since.

Mr Taylor added if the defendant had known she was disqualified there was no way she would have driven.

She now had a new partner who was a positive influence on her and was expecting a child.

Her new boyfriend was a hard-working young man, was good for her and Gorton was very proud of the relationship.