A BANNED driver released from prison a fortnight ago found himself back behind bars for another three months yesterday.

Simon Whorley, 21, appeared before magistrates in Harrogate after his sentence for driving while disqualified and without insurance had been deferred for six months for him to stay out of trouble.

The court heard that, in April, he had been sentenced to five months by Northallerton magistrates for defying the driving ban and had been released two weeks ago.

Whorley, of Princess Close, Ripon, had been spotted riding a motor scooter in the city. Solicitor Andrew Tinning said he had bought the vehicle to do up but had been unable to resist riding it to his sister's home.

Then, in spite of the deferred sentence, when he learnt his grandmother was ill and other methods of getting to Thirsk failed, he borrowed a car.

While in custody for that offence, he had missed the birth of his child and the championship celebrations of the local football team for which he played.

Court chairman Bernadette Reid said another spell in prison was the only possible punishment. She also banned him from the roads for two years