A BANNED driver stricken with leukaemia, has urged a judge to return his licence so he can drive for hospital treatment.

Stephen Sharples, 39, who is disqualified by two court orders, said he faced having to go to Christie Hospital, Manchester, once a week for radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

He told Burnley Crown Court medics had told him he would probably have between three and five years to live if he did not have a bone marrow transplant.

Father-of-two Sharples, of Moorlands View, Edenfield, said he would also like to take his children out for the day.

Judge David Pirie, who in March 1997 sent Sharples to prison for four months and banned him from driving for three years, adjourned the hearing for medical reports, until July 12.

Sharples had been convicted of dangerous driving and excess alcohol. He is also disqualified until December 1999 by Rossendale magistrates.

Jeremy Grout-Smith, for the crown, said two police officers had tried to stop Sharples as he travelled towards Bacup. As the officers got out of their car, he drove off.

He turned off the main road into a street, mounted the pavement, failed to give way at a junction and momentarily lost control, causing a group of pedestrians to have to step back.

Sharples clocked up about 60mph in a 30mph zone, went round a mini roundabout and continued on the wrong side of the road, forcing other cars to take evasive action. Mr Grout-Smith told the court Sharples was eventually stopped when he was boxed in by police. There was a scuffle during his arrest and officers had to smash a window to get to Sharples. He kicked out as they did so.

A breath test showed Sharples had 54 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit is 35.

Sharples told the court he wanted his licence back to make it easier to get to hospital. He currently attended Burnley General Hospital and may have to go to Christies.

He said he had been told he would live between three and five years if he did not have a bone marrow transplant. Three family members had so far been tested but were not a match. He added he currently got lifts to Burnley General Hospital but it would be easier if he could drive.

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