A DISQUALIFIED driver, who was caught at the wheel of his company van, has been given an extra three-month ban.

Christopher Wallace, 28, of Britannia Way, East Cowes, appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court on Friday, where he pleaded guilty to one count of driving whilst disqualified.

The court heard Wallace, who runs a carpentry business, was stopped by police at Binstead Road as he drove the van — which he had bought for staff to use.

Prosecutor Vivian Ducie said: "At around 1.40pm on October 11, police stopped a white van as part of a routine check.

"As officers spoke to Mr Wallace, he volunteered to them that he knew that he was banned."

The court heard Wallace was given a 40-month ban when he appeared at Surrey Magistrates' Court on July 21.

Keith Verrinder, defending, said: "He has been running his own company here on the Island for about 12 months now, and he tells me he had bought the van with a view to having one of his staff members drive it.

"On this particular day, that member of staff had called in sick, but Mr Wallace desperately needed to get to a job.

"He had rather responsibly got a lift to Ryde, where he picked up the vehicle.

"It's worth noting he nearly made it to the site without issue."

Magistrates sentenced Wallace to a six-month community order, to include ten rehabilitation days, and added an extra three months to his driving ban.

He was ordered to pay a £40 fine, a £90 surcharge and court costs of £85.

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