A PENSIONER who drove just seven weeks after being disqualified has escaped jail.

Geoffrey Fellows, 72, of Morgan Court, Worcester Road, Malvern, pleaded guilty to driving whilst disqualified and without insurance at Worcester Magistrates Court on Friday (November 27).

He was caught behind the wheel of his blue Vauxhall Corsa by police in Pickersleigh Road, Malvern, on Saturday, November 7, after deciding to go out to buy a newspaper.

But he had been disqualified from driving for 20 months on Wednesday, September 16, following an incident of drink-driving.

Magistrates considered a custodial sentence for Fellows but instead chose to issue a driving ban and community order.

Adrian Jones, prosecuting, said: "Officers were on duty in an unmarked car.

"They stopped Mr Fellows and spoke to him.

"A DVLA check revealed he was a disqualified driver and he immediately admitted that was the case.

"He admitted being the owner of the vehicle and the driver, and said he was just going to buy a newspaper."

Mark Lister, defending, said: "He was a man of good character until he committed these offences following the breakdown of a relationship.

"He moved into new accommodation and perhaps unwisely retained his car. He simply got into it to buy a newspaper and was stopped by police.

"Mr Fellows admitted the offence and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

"If he went into custody it would have a significant effect on his mental health.

"He has got rid of the car so this won't happen again."

Magistrates disqualified Fellows from driving for 18 months, sentenced him to a 12-month community order including 180 hours of unpaid work in a charity shop and ordered him to pay £135 court costs, a £60 victim surcharge, £150 court charges and an additional £110 fine for the no insurance offence.