A CHURCH cleaner caught driving while banned was told to keep out of trouble - but went and did the same thing again.

Darren Phillip Roberts, 19, who was said to have "something of a reputation in Earby" got behind the wheel again because magistrates had told him to get a job.

He panicked because his court date was due and he hadn't got one, Burnley magistrates heard.

Roberts walked free from court and was told by the justices he was a "very lucky young man". Roberts, of John Street, Earby, who had wiped away tears as the court heard how he had been in 17 foster homes in 15 years, appeared for deferred sentence and sentence after admitting two counts of driving while disqualified.

He was disqualified from driving for two years, given 120 hours community service and told to pay £35 costs.

Zabeda Maqsood, prosecuting, said the defendant was stopped at night with a motorcycle with no lights on. He admitted he didn't have a driving licence and when told he was being arrested said he thought he was all right because the engine was not running.

Roberts, banned until May 2000, appeared in court and sentence was deferred on May 5. Roberts was seen on a motorcycle and gave police false details. Anthony Davies, defending, said Roberts had gradually climbed the ladder in terms of offending, but in the last six months had made progress.

After 17 foster placements in 15 years, Roberts had been an insufferable adolescent with no concern for the consequences of his offending and had gone to custody for three years for his involvement in a handbag snatch.

The defendant had shown a growing maturity and sentence had been adjourned last November to see how evidence of rehabilitation would develop. Roberts cleaned a church, worked voluntarily for Age Concern and had made considerable efforts to get work, but unfortunately had something of a reputation in Earby.

Mr Davies said Roberts committed the first offence out of ignorance and the second out of pressure of circumstances. He thought he would be put in custody if he hadn't had a job and in "panic and stupidity" drove to Accrington to see about farm work.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.