A SCAFFOLDER who stole scratch cards from WHSmith to buy drugs and got behind the wheel when banned from driving has been jailed.

Lee Craig Sedgelov admitted stealing £26 of scratch cards in April, driving while disqualified and without insurance or an MOT later that month and obstructing a police officer by giving false details.

The 38-year-old has previously been jailed for driving while disqualified.

Prosecutor Michelle Hewitt told magistrates: “You will see his record and it will be a concern.

“Those convictions are going to aggravate any sentence you pass.”

Defending, Mark Glendenning said of the theft offence: “At the time Mr Sedgelov was using drugs.

“He has accepted that.”

But Sedgelov, who now works as a scaffolder, was turning his life around.

Mr Glendenning added: “He has made some improvements to his life since back in April.”

Addressing the driving offences, Mr Glendenning said his client had not known the Citroen Berlingo he was driving had no valid MOT. An act of “stupidity” saw him give a false name to the police officer who stopped him.

Magistrates handed Sedgelov, of Holbein Close, Grange Park, a 16-week prison sentence and a 24 month driving ban. He must pay an £89 victim surcharge and £26 compensation to WHSmith.

Chairman of the bench June May told Sedgelov: “I am sure you have heard this before about being disqualified. You are not allowed to drive for the next 24-months. If you do so you will end up quite instantly back in prison again.”