A 25-YEAR-old man who flouted a court order just six weeks after it was imposed had a lucky escape yesterday when he was spared jail.

Ben Wallace had been disqualified from driving for a drink driving offence but within weeks of being sentenced he was illegally back on the roads.

On Thursday Kirklees Magistrates’ Court heard the defendant had been disqualified for two years at a court in Leeds after being convicted of an offence of driving while over the prescribed limit for alcohol.

But only weeks later on January 31 he was stopped just 40 yards from his home in Walkley Lane, Heckmondwike, after police officers noticed his tax disc was the wrong colour and out of date.

Wallace said he had succumbed to temptation and when running late for picking up his four-year-old son had taken the easy option of driving his Vauxhall Astra.

The car had not been sold so his partner, who was learning to drive, could ultimately use it. It has now been sold.

The case was adjourned until yesterday so a fast track probation report could be prepared. Chairman of the bench Barry Lockwood had indicated that all options were open including custody.

Yesterday, in front of a new bench, prosecutor Alex Bozman said police officers had noticed there was a problem with the defendant’s excise licence and in interviews with police Wallace admitted he was aware of his disqualification.

Wallace, who pleaded guilty to the charges of driving while disqualified and of having no insurance, was said to have an impulsive character in the verbal probation report.

Representing him, Robert Dawson, said that following his disqualification he had quickly lost his job in the printing industry through his inability to drive.

However, he said that to his credit he had set up his own business, producing leaflets, from his home.

But on the morning of the offence he had made a foolish error in using his car.

Mr Dawson said: “He has shown remorse for what he has done. The car was there, he was tempted.”

Chairman of the bench Julie Houston said: “The bench takes this very seriously indeed. Six weeks after a ban and you drove your car.”

Sentencing him to a community order for 12 months including 180 hours unpaid work she added: “You have been very, very, lucky.”

He was fined £85 costs with a £60 victim surcharge, payable within seven days.

His original two year driving ban is to run concurrently.