A banned motorist who was caught back at the wheel in Stevenage with a fake driving licence has been given a suspended jail term.

Iosif Szabo, who had already been caught driving while disqualified once, was found at the wheel of a VW Golf in Derby Road on Friday, March 24.

The 29-year-old, of Ely Close, had a false Romanian driving licence on him and also lacked insurance for the car.

Szabo pleaded guilty to fraud, driving while banned and driving without insurance when he appeared before magistrates at Hatfield Remand Court on Tuesday.

In addition to a four-week suspended sentence, he must complete 150 hours of unpaid community work in the next 12 months, and has been given a fresh 12-month driving ban. He must also pay £85 costs and £115 surcharge.

Szabo also admitted failing to appear at Stevenage Magistrates’ Court in answer to bail on April 26 last year – for which he was fined £50 – and failing to attend two unpaid work sessions on April 22 and 29 last year, for which he must pay another £50 fine and £85 costs.