A MAN was banned from driving for the third time after taking over the wheel of a car when a friend fell ill.

Police discovered that Trevor Reed, from Dipton, near Stanley, was banned from driving when they pulled over the Ford Escort van he was driving on the A1(M) in North Yorkshire.

Peter Scott, prosecuting, said that 40-year-old Reed, of Fairhills Avenue, had been banned in 2001 for having no insurance, and had been required to retake his test before driving again.

Reed appeared in court yesterday and Harrogate magistrates were told that he never retook his driving test so, the ban was still in force.

Reed was also banned a second time after drink-driving in May.

Clive Farndon, mitigating, said Reed had been to the South Coast for the day with a friend who had been driving.z

But not long before police stopped the van, the friend had fallen ill and had felt unsafe to carry on behind the wheel.

Reed, who believed he was clear to drive and his ban was over, took over the driving.

When Reed pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without insurance or a test certificate, court chairman Jane Garlick banned him for 18 months. Reed was told he would need to retake his test after the disqualification.

Ms Garlick also imposed an 18-month community rehabilitation order, and a 7pm to 7am curfew on Friday and Saturday nights for six months. He was also ordered to pay £85 court costs.