A LEARNER who took on the identity of a driver whose licence he found 14 years ago has escaped a prison term.

Joiner John Hirst, 49, an ex-convict now living a "respectable family life," had only recently passed his test.

Burnley Crown Court heard how "the game was up" after Hirst was stopped for speeding in a hired van and the real licence holder was asked to submit it for penalty points.

Sentencing Hirst to 200 hours community service, Assistant Recorder Robert Warnock said he had first intended to jail him.

He said Hirst had caused potential harm to the public and licence holder Alan Frederick Davey in particular, as well as affront to the administration of the road licence system.

The judge added the defendant had been frank with police but it was only good fortune nobody was inconvenienced or hurt.

Hirst, of Selby Close, Baxenden, admitted theft by finding, obtaining service by deception, attempting to pervert the course of justice and eight counts of using a document with intent to deceive.

He must pay £361 in costs. Kevin Donnelly, prosecuting, said over 14 years Hirst used Mr Davey's licence to register vehicles, obtain insurance and deal with the speeding prosecuting.

Mr Davey lost his licence in 1985, notified the DVLA, got a replacement and thought no more until over 12 years later when he got a letter asking him to submit the licence.

In August 1997, Hirst had hired a transit van and was caught on camera, speeding. He paid the fine and, when the licence was returned to the DVLA, it was realised that it had been superseded by a replacement back in 1985.

Jonathan Dickinson, defending, said the case was serious but said Hirst had not offended since 1987 and, apart from this, was living a perfectly respectable life.

It was a tragedy he was at risk of losing his liberty but he had nobody to blame but himself.

Hirst found the licence, but didn't use it until 1993. It never crossed his mind that Mr Davey would suffer any jeopardy as a result of his actions.

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