A motorist has been jailed for 16 weeks after driving while disqualified for a third time.

Trevor Michael Brian Latimer, of Alder Road, Douglas,admitted the offence as well as driving with no insurance and was also banned from driving for a further year.

The court heard that Latimer, aged 48, was stopped by police on Peel Road on February 13 and told officers he thought his ban was over.

A probation report recommended a suspended sentence supervision order (SSSO).

Defence advocate Louise Cooil said that the ban had been imposed in 2015 and Latimer said he believed it ended in 2017.

Ms Cooil said: ’He holds his hands up.

’He would not have driven if he’d realised the circumstances.

’The report says he is a low risk of reoffending.

’The situation is abundantly clear to Mr Latimer now.

’He has no reason to drive at present. He has arranged with his employer so he has no requirement to drive.

’He has arranged to be dropped off and picked up at his work location each day.

’He isn’t a drinker anymore, which has resulted in some previous offending.’

Ms Cooil went on to say that a supervision order would address issues that had resulted in previous offending.

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said while passing sentence: ’The offence is aggravated by your previous convictions. You have previous for driving whilst disqualified in 2007 and 2015.

’In 2015 you were disqualified for 42 months, with an expiry date of October 2018.

’You say you believed your disqualification had ended but your other two disqualifications were suspended sentences .

’You were very well aware when you drove, of the consequences of driving whilst disqualified. Had you genuinely believed you were free to drive you would have made enquiries.

’You simply assumed the disqualification had ended and chose to drive.’

’Suspended sentences have been tried in the past yet you continued to drive whilst disqualified.’

Latimer is now disqualified until April 2019.