A DISQUALIFIED driver who flouted his ban by using his son's moped, appeared before Island magistrates.

Clive Stewart Richardson, who admitted driving whilst disqualified and using the motorbike without insurance or a licence, was stopped by police in St Vincent's Road, Ryde, on August 23 last year.

Police, aware Richardson was banned, spotted him pulling out of Greenmount Primary School, without a helmet on, and followed him into various streets before pulling him over, said Liz Miller, prosecuting, at the Isle of Magistrates' Court.

The moped Richardson was riding was registered to his son.

"He completely ignored the ban," said Miss Miller.

Mitigating for Richardson, Oscar Vincent told the bench his client borrowed his son's moped for the day after he was given employment at the school — painting and decorating — and had only ridden it a short distance and the standard of his driving was satisfactory.

In April 2014, jobless Richardson was banned from driving for four years, for dangerous driving, at Winchester Crown Court.

Then in September last year, Richardson, of East Hill Road, Ryde, appeared before Island magistrates for a motoring offence of a few months earlier, in June, for which he was fined and his licence endorsed with six penalty points, without a fresh ban.

On that occasion, Richardson, 46, argued he was unaware he had to take an extended test to regain his licence once his four-year ban had been served.

As his latest offence pre-dated his September court appearance, the bench considered his exact same excuse sympathetically and handed him the same points punishment.

However, as a totter, Richardson was automatically disqualified for six months and warned that once the ban had elapsed, he would need a re-test.

In addition, he was fined £160, with £85 costs and a £35 victim surcharge.