A MOTORIST who has “numerous” convictions for driving while disqualified has been sentenced to prison.

However, Anthony Williams’ custodial term was suspended for a year by magistrates last week. Williams, 39, was pulled over driving a Skoda Fabia in Newbridge-on-Wye on September 12 last year. Checks showed he was banned from driving. At West Glamorgan Magistrates' Court last Tuesday, May 31, Williams, of St Helens Avenue, Brynmill, Swansea, was jailed for 18 weeks – with the court suspending the term of imprisonment for 12 months.

Williams had pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified on March 2. Magistrates said the reason for handing down a prison sentence was due to the seriousness of the offence and that Williams had numerous convictions for driving while disqualified.

As part of the order the defendant will be supervised for a period of 12 months, which will include being electronically tagged and the subject of a curfew order; he must stay indoors at his home from 9pm-6am for a period of 12 weeks.

He was also ordered to pay a £128 surcharge and was banned from driving for a further two years.

Magistrates issued no separate penalty for a second offence of driving without insurance.