A BANNED driver has been handed a further disqualification after taking a car buyer on a test drive.

Edwin Thomas Weaver entered a guilty plea when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford.

Police were informed that disqualified driver Weaver had got behind the wheel in Ledbury on May 16, prosecutor Shafquat Reaz said.

Officers found Weaver at his home, and the 37-year-old was arrested after admitting he had driven his Volkswagen Passat.

Chris Read, for Weaver, said the agricultural engineer had set about selling his car after receiving a three-year driving ban in April.

"On May 16 someone came with a view to buying the car," Mr Read said.

"They went for a test drive with the viewer driving, but at the end of that the viewer pulled up outside their own house and got out, leaving him in the car. He decided to drive the car back home and was reported to the police.

"To his credit, he was very honest and admitted driving that short distance of about half a mile home.

"The person did buy the car a couple of days later."

The court heard Weaver's employer had agreed to adjust his working arrangements so he can continue working.

Weaver, of Orchard Lane, Ledbury, was handed a further three-month disqualification, a 12-month community order, and must complete a six-month alcohol treatment programme. He was also fined £100 and must pay costs of £135 and a £95 victim surcharge.