A DISQUALIFIED teenage motorcyclist was jailed for five months yesterday after riding his machine while over the legal drink-drive limit.

Mark Donald Appleby, of Latimer Road, Darlington, was arrested by police after he was spotted riding around the town centre without a helmet last August.

The 19-year-old admitted riding while disqualified, having no insurance or a helmet and being over the drink-drive limit when he appeared at South Durham Magistrates Court. He also pleaded guilty to breaching a community punishment and rehabilitation order and failing to surrender to custody.

Peter Smith, prosecuting, said Appleby had been banned from driving for 18 months for a previous offence in October, 2001.

Helen Parkin, mitigating, said Appleby had not offended for ten months and had a "good job with prospects" as a driver's mate for Currys.

Chairman of the bench David Irwin said the court had no choice but to send Appleby to a young offenders' institute.

He said: "You have taken no notice of the orders of the court. You have continued to offend."

Appleby was also banned from driving for a further three years.