A DRIVER has been jailed after being caught behind the wheel while banned.

Ryan Ellingford was arrested earlier this month (October 12) after being stopped by officers in The Street, Salcott.

The 37-year-old was already disqualified from driving until May 13 next year and had a medically revoked licence.

Police say further checks established there was no valid third insurance covering him to drive the car and the MOT had expired in October last year.

Ellingford, of Grove Farm Road, Tolleshunt Major, was charged with driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, and driving without a valid test certificate.

He appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court the next day where he was jailed for 26 weeks, further disqualified for two years, and told to pay fines totalling £128.

PC Christopher Holland, from the Stanway Roads Policing Unit, said: “This is a great result and the courts have clearly taken stern action against a prolific offender who showed no regard for the disqualification imposed by the courts.

“Ryan Ellingford was a danger to other road users and despite causing serious injuries in a Road Traffic Collison continued to drive.

“I hope he learns his lesson and does not continue to drive once he is released from prison.”