WHEN police checked through details given to them by a banned driver seen riding a motorcycle, the officers found themselves knocking on the door of an unoccupied house, a court was told.

However, James Michael Smith, 22, of Sandyfield Road, Bacup, had attempted a half-baked deception because he gave officers his real surname and an address in his own street, which enabled them to confirm his identity eventually.

Smith, who admitted driving whilst disqualified and without insurance and obstructing a police officer in the execution of his duty, was remanded on bail pending medical reports to ascertain his fitness for community service. He will reappear before the bench for sentence on February 14.

Miss Alex Bretherton, prosecuting, said Smith was subject to a 12-month ban for an insurance offence. He was seen riding a motorbike in Broad Lane, Rochdale, with his girlfriend on the back. Smith got off and pushed it to the side of the road. He said his name was Craig Smith and that he lived in Sandyfield Road.

Mr Brian Berlyne, defending, said Smith might benefit from probation. There was no evidence of Smith riding his bike except in the correct manner. He had bought the vehicle and was riding to his girlfriend's to do it up and sell it. It had been foolhardy. Smith suffered from clinical depression and was unemployed.