A 25-YEAR-OLD man was caught behind the wheel of his works van when he was banned from the road.

It was the second such offence committed by Jamie McGuigan and almost landed him a jail sentence.

McGuigan, of White Threshes Road, Cowdenbeath, appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court for sentencing.

He admitted that on February 16 at Foulford Road, Cowdenbeath, he drove a van when disqualified.

Depute fiscal Amy Sneddon said at 4.40pm McGuigan’s vehicle was stopped by police and checks showed he was banned.

Defence solicitor Ian Beatson said his client had received news that a family member was in hospital and asked to take the works van to go there.

He had not told his employer he was disqualified and has since lost that job as a result.

Sheriff Charles Macnair reminded McGuigan this was his second conviction for driving when banned in a short period and told him he had only just avoided a jail term.

Instead, the sheriff imposed a community payback order with 200 hours of unpaid work and a four-year driving ban.