A BANNED driver was texting on his mobile phone and ignored police when they tried to pull him over on the motorway at Worcester.

Convicted robber Lorenzo Genus was spotted by police looking down at his mobile while driving southbound between junctions six (Worcester) and seven (Worcester south) of the M5.

The 25-year-old had already admitted driving while disqualified, without insurance, failing to stop and a handheld mobile phone offence when he appeared before Recorder Allan Dooley at Worcester Crown Court.

Genus already had three convictions for driving while disqualified.

He had also been banned from driving until February 17, 2019 and had to complete an extended driving retest because of a dangerous driving conviction.

Police had spotted him driving a Vauxhall Astra.

Charles Hamer, prosecuting, said: “They overtook him and they noticed he was using a mobile phone.

“He had it in his right hand and as far as they could tell he was either reading a text or typing something.”

Officers indicated he should stop and both vehicles left the motorway at the junction seven sliproad, but Genus pulled back onto the motorwayt.

The car was being driven erraticallyand narrowly missed another vehicle.

Police followed ‘for some time’ before he finally pulled over on the hard shoulder.

Genus had 28 convictions for 67 offences including three convictions for robbery, theft, burglary and going equipped.

Kevin Saunders, defending, said: “There’s no shying away from the fact this defendant is heavily convicted.”

Genus had a job working in a hotel where he had been employed for the last six months and was expecting to become a father for the second time in April.

“It’s promising that he’s displaying a work ethic at this juncture.”

Recorder Dooley said: “For somebody so young you have an appalling record.

“I’m going to take a chance. You won’t get another one. You’re not fit to be on the roads.”

He sentenced him to five months in prison, suspended for two years.

Genus, of Essex, had his driving ban extended by 12 months, until 2020. His licence was also endorsed in relation to the other matters.