A BROKEN-hearted mum caught driving while disqualified escaped another ban after magistrates heard her childhood sweetheart had been killed in a car crash.

Stacey Novell panicked and gave false details to the police when they pulled her over on the A440, Worcester magistrates heard.

Jonathan Hill, prosecuting, said the 20-year-old told officers the car was hers.

"She was unable to provide any documents and the vehicle was not displaying any excise licence," he said.

"The defendant had no means of identifying herself."

The single mum claimed to be Stacey Ashby - reverting to her stepfather's surname - when she was arrested.

In court, she admitted driving while disqualified, using a car with no insurance and resisting a police constable in the course of his duty.

Charles Hamer, defending, said Novell had been disqualified in November after she refused to be breathalysed.

He said the Kays worker had been confused about the length of the 18-month ban.

"The offence occurred a couple of months after this young woman suffered a devastating tragedy," he said.

"Her boyfriend, the only boyfriend she's ever had, was killed in a road traffic accident in Bangkok where the couple were residing.

"She came back to England with her son Jake. She went off the rails and drank heavily to deal with the emotional turmoil."

Novell had also had problems with drugs, he told the court, but had since come off them and brought her drinking under control.

"The driving was not aggravated," Mr Hamer said.

"She's ashamed of her behaviour and its consequences and the shame it's brought."

Novell, of Raleigh Close, Dines Green, was sentenced to 100 hours of community service, had eight penalty points added to her licence, was fined £200 and told to contribute £50 towards costs.

"I hope you appreciate the fact that we haven't disqualified you today," said the chairman of the bench.