A BANNED driver who got behind the wheel to give his friend a lift home has been recalled to prison.

Dillon Corris, 29, had been banned from driving on September 8 last year following a number of offences, Workington Magistrates’ Court heard.

Outlining the case, prosecutor Pamela Fee said police had been on mobile patrol on September 20 when they witnessed Corris driving a Mazda at Mill Hill in Cleator Moor.

He was stopped by officers and was interviewed at the roadside. He said he knew it was an offence to drive while disqualified but said he didn’t know how long his disqualification was for.

Corris said he had been dropping a friend off at home. When asked if he had taken the vehicle without consent, he replied, ‘technically, yes’.

The court heard there were a number of driving offences on the defendant’s record, including drug-driving and he had been given a custodial sentence in October last year.

Ms Fee said the offence had been committed ‘quite early’ into the disqualification and Corris was being recalled to prison.

The defendant, of Eller Bank, Harrington, Workington, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

Mike Woolaghan, defending, said Corris was ‘distressed’ about the length of the recall to prison, which was until June 17.

Mr Woolaghan said: “He made full and frank admissions at the roadside. He enters his guilty pleas at the earliest opportunity.

“He appeared before Carlisle Crown Court on October 25 which post-dates the commission of this offence.

“It’s not clear why they couldn’t be dealt with at the same time.”

Corris must serve 10 weeks in custody and was banned from driving for three and a half years.