A banned driver caught behind the wheel by police claimed that the real driver had fled the vehicle.

Ajaz Farooq, of Cemetery Road in Dewsbury, appeared before Kirklees Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

He pleaded guilty to charges of driving while disqualified and using a vehicle without insurance.

Prosecutor James Weekes said the offences happened on October 26.

He said a police officer spotted the 25-year-old’s Skoda Octavia as he drove it along Moorlands Road in the town.

Mr Weekes said: “The car was followed on to a small side street.

“He saw the defendant getting from the driver’s side into the passenger seat.

“The defendant told him that the driver had got out and ran down an alleyway – he was arrested.”

In interview Farooq admitted that he was an idiot for getting in the car.

He said that following his recent ban he hadn’t surrendered his licence.

Farooq claimed that a friend advised him that he could still drive until this was taken from him.

District Judge Marie Mallon ordered him to complete 200 hours of unpaid work as part of a community order.

Farooq was also banned from the road for a further 12 months and told to pay £60 victim surcharge.