A banned Audi driver was caught out by police who noticed "irregularities with his number plates".

Oliver Bromilow, 23, was driving an Audi A3 in Horwich on July 15 last year when he was pulled over by police.

Having first tried to give his brother’s details, Bolton Crown Court heard how Bromilow then admitted he had lied and that he had been on the road despite a ban and having no insurance.

Patrick Williamson, prosecuting, said: “An aggravating feature is the defendant giving false identification.”

Bromilow, of Mary Street West, Horwich, had originally been banned from the roads in 2020 after he was caught drug driving.

At the time, he was convicted of possession of cannabis with intent to supply and at the time walked away with a 12-month suspended sentence.

Bromilow was arrested after officers discovered he had breached his ban last July and he pleaded guilty before the magistrates court on January 18 to driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

Clare Ashcroft, defending, argued that Bromilow deserved credit for having pleaded guilty and said he fully accepted whatever punishment he was due to receive.

She said: “I think you’ve seen the defendant has come prepared today, with his belongings, family and fiancé present.

“He has been realistic about the likely outcome.”

But Judge Tom Gilbart reminded the court of just how serious the consequences could have been from the young defendant.

He said: “You’ve shown a lack of respect for the orders made by the courts.”

He added: “I need you to understand this is a very close-run thing, you were right to bring your belongings to court.”

But Judge Gilbart also accepted that there were other sides to the young man’s character.

He said: “A letter from your employer speaks positively about you. One from a neighbour speaks in similar glowing terms.

“A letter from you outlines your determination not to offend again.

“Your history of qualifications and work and the fact that you are still relatively young.

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But he added: “If you don’t comply with the order or commit further offences, you will come back in front of me.

“If you come back before me, you will go into custody.”

Judge Gilbart sentenced Bromilow to four months curfew between 7pm and 6am and banned him from driving for another 12 months.

He will also have to pay a £400 fine and costs of £100.