A FATHER-of-two who persistently drove while disqualified and without insurance has avoided going to prison.

Justin Alan Warren was seen on five occasions driving his Mercedes in Ledbury despite being banned after previously being caught drug-driving.

Hereford Magistrates Court heard how temptation got the better of Warren when he committed the crimes between March 25 and May 26.

Warren, 39, pleaded guilty to five counts of driving whilst disqualified and a further five charges of driving without insurance.

District Judge Ian Strongman said the 10 offences taken together were so serious only a custodial sentence would be appropriate.

However, he added that should Warren go to prison there would be a big impact on his children, so his 20-week prison sentence was suspended for two years.

Nicola Ritchie, prosecuting, said a member of staff at John Masefield High School, where one of Warren's children is a pupil, had reported him to the police.

Sally McCarthy witnessed Warren driving his black Mercedes E320 twice in Bridge Street on March 25 and April 7, and then on April 26 she saw him driving at Lower Road Trading Estate.

Off-duty police officers had seen Warren, of Albert Road, on two separate occasions, in Albert Road on April 12 and Barnett Avenue on 26 May.

Emma Thorne, for Warren, said he used the car because his injuries from a motorcycle accident more than 20 years ago made it difficult to carry shopping home.

On the five occasions he had been seen behind the wheel, Warren was said to be on journeys to the supermarket or collecting his children.

"His personal circumstances at the time of being disqualified were that he had a Mercedes and he planned to dispose of the vehicle," Ms Thorne added.

"It didn't happen as quickly as he had planned and temptation got the better of him."

Warren was banned from driving for four years and ordered to pay a £200 fine, £135 costs and £115 victim surcharge.