A DRUMRY driver who was banned from the roads around seven years ago has been spared a prison sentence after being caught behind the wheel in January.

Andrejus Ivanovas appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court with an interpreter last Tuesday for sentencing.

The 38-year-old, who lives in Hood Street, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to two charges in contravention of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

The court heard Ivanovas was stopped by officers travelling east on the A82 Great Western Road on January 6 while driving a silver Saab.

Cops discovered he had previously been disqualified in November 2013 and ordered to sit a proficiency test, which he had not passed.

Ivanovas was not insured as a result of his failure to complete the requirement and he was subsequently held in custody overnight at Clydebank police office before being cautioned and charged.

Defence solicitor Stephen McGuire told the court his client had been banned for a set period of time, which had expired.

Mr McGuire said: “He always appreciated that there was a requirement to sit a test and he accepts that he did not sit that test. He was unable to be insured. He accepts that this is a serious matter.”

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Sheriff Frances McCartney told Ivanovas: “This is a serious matter but I am satisfied there is an alternative to custody.”

Ivanovas was placed under social workers’ supervision for six months and must carry out 160 hours of unpaid work in the community. He was also disqualified from obtaining a licence for 32 months.