A BANNED motorist used his girlfriend’s car to go and buy cigarettes – less than a week after he was disqualified from driving.

Alex Steadman knew very well he was not allowed to be behind the wheel when police stopped him driving a Vauxhall Corsa in Welshpool on May 17, having had his licence taken off him just six days earlier.

The 23-year-old admitted driving while disqualified as well as a second charge of driving without insurance when he appeared at Welshpool Magistrates Court earlier this week.

Prosecutor Helen Tench said Steadman, of Hinwood Road, Westbury, Shropshire, was stopped by police driving along Welshpool’s Mount Street at around 1am on the day in question. He had been going to the shop to buy cigarettes.

“The police officer on duty saw the defendant driving and requested a check on the vehicle,” said Ms Tench.

“The check came back that the car had a female owner and she was the only person insured to drive it. The defendant confirmed this and a further check confirmed he was disqualified from driving and this had only happened six days earlier.

“He said he had been with his girlfriend, who owned the car, and he had gone out to get cigarettes. He said he knew he was disqualified. The ban was imposed just six days earlier on May 11.”

Owain Jones, acting for Steadman, said he anticipated the case would be adjourned for a report to be completed. He said he had advised his client, who knows he is banned, not to drive in the interim.

Magistrates adjourned sentencing for a report to be completed by the probation service. Steadman will reappear for sentencing on August 24.