A MAN was jailed for four months by Blackburn magistrates after being caught driving while disqualified twice in three days -- and spending Christmas behind bars.

The court heard that David Anthony Osbaldeston, 29, was stopped in Blackburn Road, Accrington, on December 19 when he gave false details to a police officer.

But three days later the same officer was waiting for Osbaldeston as he pulled up outside his home in St Cecilia Street, Great Harwood.

Osbaldeston, who had been remanded in custody since Christmas Eve, pleaded guilty to both offences, obstructing a police officer and driving without insurance on both occasions. As well as a four-month custodial sentence Osbaldeston was disqualified for two years.

Peter Wilde, prosecuting, said Osbaldeston had been disqualified from driving for five years in July 2000 for driving with excess alcohol.

Andrew Church-Taylor, defending, said Osbaldeston deserved credit for pleading guilty when a custodial sentence was almost inevitable, especially at this time of year.

He said Osbaldeston had exchanged a small trials bike for the van which he was caught driving. He planned to sell the vehicle but, while it was in his possession, he had fallen to temptation.

Mr Church-Taylor said his client had six previous convictions for driving while disqualified and since he was 18 years old had received bans totalling in excess of 15 years. "Rather than return him to prison, you might think that some form of education might have more impact," Mr Church-Taylor added.