A man's last-minute plan to go for a drive in his friend's car has landed him with a suspended prison sentence.

Keiran Bradshaw, 23, was arrested after he was pulled over in a white Mercedes by officers carrying out roadside checks on the A483 between Abermule and Garthmyl on Wednesday, May 22.

Bradshaw was serving a 42-month driving ban at the time after he previously breached a 12-month ban.

He pleaded guilty to driving whilst disqualified and without insurance, and using a car with tyres with insufficient tread when he appeared in court on Tuesday, June 4.

Miss Curtis, representing Bradshaw, told Welshpool Magistrates' Court that there was no evidence of bad driving, and that there had been "confusion" about whether he had served his driving ban.

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"He has changed his life," she said. "He did some travelling and it changed him for good. Mr Bradshaw decided to start a business and is working full time selling watches.

"This is a person who is a prime example for further unpaid work and rehabilitation, perhaps for thinking skills to ensure he check his licence and letters."

The court heard that Bradshaw, of Wall Heath, Dudley, had five convictions; three for driving offences, one for cannabis and one for being drunk and disorderly after he was "too drunk to fly at an airport".

Probation officer Joseph Long said Bradshaw had "got in the wrong crowd" when he was convicted of possessing a knife and cannabis as a teenager and had taken steps to distance himself from them and "changed his life around".

He added that Bradshaw told him that he aims not to make the same mistakes and "sometimes acts impulsively and doesn't fully consider his actions before they take place."

Chair of the magistrates' bench Anthony Jackson sentenced Bradshaw to 12 weeks in prison which was suspended for 18 months becuase the offences were "so serious".

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He said: "You are 23 years old; you’re not a teenager. You need to grow up because everything you have been doing has put yourself and others in danger. It was a blatant disregard for the law.

"This is probably your last chance. Maybe consider the consequences and act the age you are and don’t think you can get away with these things because you cannot."

Bradshaw was given an extra 12-month ban which means he is not allowed to drive for a further 22 months. He was ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and pay £85 prosecution costs and £154 victim surcharge.

“Good luck and make sure you comply with the court’s order,” the chair added.