AN ex-prisoner, who got behind the wheel while disqualified from driving, is back in prison - this time for a total of nine months.

Charles Wright, 38, who cared for his partner who suffered from multiple sclerosis, was told by Burnley magistrates that what he had done was serious and only custody could be justified.

Wright, whose solicitor told the court he had been going to get a gas card to make sure the woman did not get cold, had earlier admitted driving while disqualified and having no insurance.

The defendant, of Hawthorn Road, Bacup, was given three months for the offences and must serve a six-month unexpired portion of a previous sentence.

Sarah Goodchild, defending, said Wright and his partner had a very close relationship and he helped her in every way possible.

She suffered from multiple sclerosis and osteoporosis and when he committed the driving while disqualified offence, Wright had been going to get a gas card so she did not get cold. He wanted to help her in the only way he knew how.

Miss Goodchild said Wright was trying to settle down and to control his drug use, but needed further help.

It was now less than two months since he was released on licence from a long term custodial sentence.

At some point, he was going to have to de-institutionalise himself and get back into the domain of the living.

Miss Goodchild went on: "Since 1997 the defendant's life has fallen apart. He needs to get his life back together with a probation order or a deferred sentence."

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