A PERSISTENT banned driver has been told to "pull himself together."

Magistrates at Droitwich told 32-year-old Gary Wicks that he had the ability to improve his situation.

"You're a sad case," said John Bennett, chairman of the bench.

"You know that you're intelligent.

"Before it's too late you need to pull yourself together."

Wicks admitted three counts of driving while disqualified, three of driving without insurance and one of theft.

Magistrates heard that on Sunday, February 4, around 11am, the defendant was seen by an off-duty police officer.

"He saw the defendant, who he knew, driving a car," said John Shelton, prosecuting.

"He followed him, travelling towards Cheltenham."

On Tuesday, March 20, around 4pm, the same police officer spotted Wicks again behind the wheel of his H-reg Citroen AX, this time by the access road at Safeway, Evesham.

He was seen again on Thursday, March 29, around 1.50pm by a different police officer, at Norton, near Evesham.

"He was stopped at the garage at Twyford on the A44, where he admitted being disqualified," said Mr Shenton.

Magistrates heard that Wicks was banned from driving for 18 months in September, 2000.

"His probation officer has reported that he was unable to resist the temptation to drive, but he's trying to sell his car," said... Hussain, defending.

The court that Wicks also admitted stealing food from Safeway supermarket on Wednesday, February 21.

He had been dependent on drugs and was receiving treatment. He had been using drugs since he was 14 and was currently visiting a psychiatrist.

"He's someone who wants help and he's prepared to make the effort," said Mr Hussein.

Magistrates ordered Wicks be put on 12 months probation, including a community rehabilitation order. He was also awarded 12 penalty points, banned for two years and ordered to pay £40 costs.