A BANNED driver from Cricklade has had his ban extended after driving his sister’s car to collect some firewood for a friend.

In April of this year Dean Wilson, of White Horse Road, Cricklade was given eight points on his licence for taking a motor vehicle without consent, thereby invalidating his insurance.

Under the totting scheme, whereby a ban from driving is automatic for 12 or more points, 28-year-old Wilson was banned from driving for nine months.

On Wednesday Wilson, who works full time as a roofer, appeared before district judge Simon Cooper sitting at Swindon Magistrates' Court and pleaded guilty to a charge of driving a motor vehicle whilst disqualified in Cricklade on March 4 this year.

He also pleaded guilty to a charge of using a motor vehicle on Bath Road, Cricklade without third party insurance.

The court heard that on March 4 police received a report that Wilson was driving whilst disqualified. When arrested he made a full and frank admission of the offence.

Wilson told the judge that on that day he had been collecting firewood for a friend from down the road.

“Rather than carrying it I stupidly took my sister’s car,” he said. “I know I shouldn’t have done it and I instantly regretted it.”

The judge told Wilson that he gave him full credit for his guilty pleas. “The distance driven was not far but it was in blatant disregard of the order,” he added.

He sentenced Wilson to a community order of 80 hours unpaid work for the benefit of the community and disqualified him from driving for four months, with immediate effect.

Wilson was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £60 and £85 in court costs. He was given 14 days to pay.