A 43-YEAR-old man who got behind the wheel for the sixth time while banned, has escaped a jail term.

Burnley Magistrates heard how ex-convict Stephen Thomas Morris, who was trying to put drugs and crime behind him, was now working -- and the probation service thought they could work with him.

Morris, of Florence Avenue, Burnley, was given an 18 month community rehabilitation order, to include the Think First programme, must pay £65 costs and was banned for from driving for 12 months.

He had admitted driving while disqualified, not having insurance and resisting or obstructing a constable, on September 17.

Sentencing him, the bench said although he had persistently driven whilst banned and was in breach of a conditional discharge, he was making positive efforts to overcome his drug problems.

Joanne Shahzada, prosecuting, said Morris was subject to a disqualification imposed in July which ran until July 2002.

Nick Dearing, defending, said Morris was realistic enough to know the court was going to consider sending him to custody.

He had co-operated with police and gave his correct details after initially giving false ones.

He had had a low-level drug addiction for some years which was still present. He was not an active criminal but somebody who resorted to offending on occasions when he was short of money.

Since his release from prison, the defendant had practically worked full time and was working permanent nights on a production line.

Mr Dearing added Morris had a stable home to go to and the probation service thought they could work with him.

He was making positive efforts to overcome a lifestyle which had dragged him down for the last six or seven years.