Banned motorist drives from court

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/merseyside/7861420.stm

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A man convicted of drinking and driving at a Liverpool court hearing got straight into his car and drove away.

Peter Latham, 25, of Stuart Road North, Liverpool, was issued with a 12-month ban at the hearing on Wednesday after admitting driving while drunk.

Moments later he was caught on CCTV leaving the Community Justice Centre, getting into his car and driving off.

Judge Ian Lomax jailed him for 10 weeks for what he said was "the most blatant breach I have seen in a long time".

Latham, who said he works as a protection officer in Iraq, admitted drinking and driving and using a mobile telephone while driving at the original hearing.

Later that day, and with the CCTV in their possession, police rearrested Latham.

Victoria Marquis, defending, said Latham thought the ban began only when he handed in his driving licence.