A MAN who was serving a suspended sentence for assaulting his girlfriend has been disqualified from driving and ordered to pay a fine.

A sentence of 16 months which was suspended for two years was imposed upon Dale White, of School Lane, Chorley, by a judge in 2020 after he assaulted his then girlfriend.

But while serving that suspended sentence, White was caught behind the wheel whilst under the influence of alcohol and was disqualified from driving.

He appeared at Preston Crown Court on Monday to be dealt with for driving while disqualified after he was caught in a Golf on Bog Height Road in Blackburn.

Sentencing, Judge Simon Medland QC said: “Around 10 months after he had been sentenced, this offence was committed.

“In between the two, on February 22, the defendant drove with access alcohol, appeared before the magistrates who imposed an interim disqualification on March 12. He was then sentenced for the breach at this court on June 29, where he got a two year qualification.

“The offence we are dealing with, of driving while disqualified, was committed 10 months after the suspended sentence and less than a month after the interim disqualification was in place.”

Judge Medland QC added: "Part of serving a suspended sentence is you must stay out of trouble.

"However there was no connection between this offence and the assault.

"Putting that into account, the sentence I impose upon you is a driving disqualification for a year. You must also complete 40 hours of unpaid work.

"By way of punishment there will be a fine of £250. If you don't pay that you will go to prison for seven days."