A MAN working as a second chef has received a suspended prison sentence after being found behind the wheel of a crashed car when banned.

Matthew Brynmor Jones, 28, of the Trevor Arms at Marford, admitted driving while disqualified and without insurance on May 30.

District Judge Roger Lowe, sitting at North East Wales Magistrates Court, said it was an aggravating feature that he had been involved in a collision, although he did stop and exchange details.

He also had previous convictions for driving while disqualified which meant the case crossed the custody threshold.

But Jones had not been in trouble for four years, he was now in employment and he appeared to have turned his life around.

He had therefore decided that the prison sentence could be suspended.

Jones received a 12 week prison sentence, suspended for a year and he was ordered to carry out 100 hours unpaid work.

He was further disqualified from driving for a year and reminded that a requirement to pass an extended driving test remained in place.

Prosecutor Rhian Jackson said police were called to a report of a collision which occurred between a Clio being driven by Jones and a Transit van.

A check on the police national computer showed he was not insured and was subject to two driving bans.

Emma Simoes, defending, told the Mold court her client lived and worked at a pub, needed items from the shop and on the spur of the moment he decided to drive and was involved in a collision.

It was a considerable time since he had been in trouble previously, she said.

Jones had made “ a massive change in his life “ and was working as second chef at the Trevor Arms.

Previously his life had been chaotic but he had made significant changes and his boss was in court to support him.

He had confirmed that her client worked extremely hard with a good work ethic and was an integral part of the team.

If he was sent to prison he would have to be replaced and he would lose his job and his accommodation.

Miss Simoes said Jones had a lot to lose and if he went to prison he would end up back to square one.