A MAN with a string of previous convictions for driving while disqualified was jailed for 12 months yesterday for committing the same offence.

Stephen Hill, 20, of Lightfoot Grove, Stockton, Teesside, admitted dangerous driving and driving while disqualified, at Teesside Crown Court.

The court heard that Hill was the driver of a Kawasaki 125cc motorbike with a pillion passenger when he was spotted by police in Thornaby at 8.25pm on December 3, 1999.

The court heard that neither rider nor passenger was wearing a helmet and the lights on the bike were not working.

Hill made off along Acklam Road towards the A66 and the police had to chase the pair on the bike for about five minutes, the court was told. After the pair got off the bike, officers had to chase them on foot before they were arrested.

John Gillette, defending, said: "1999 was a sorry tale of driving while disqualified and other road traffic offences. Since then it has stopped."

Mr Gillette said Hill, during more than three months in custody, had been taking courses in prison and has "no desire to reoffend".

Hill was sentenced to nine months for dangerous driving and three months for driving while disqualified, to run consecutively. He was also disqualified for a further two years and ordered to take an extended driving test before he would be allowed to drive again.