A repeat disqualified driver from Carlisle has been locked up after being caught illegally behind the wheel for an 11th time.

Lee Christopher Cooney, 39, was seen by police as he committed his latest motoring misdemeanour in the city last November.

He had driven a Vauxhall Vectra just two months after being banned from the road for six years for a similar offence.

Cooney was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court today having admitted seven crimes.

These included driving while disqualified and having no insurance; three failing to surrender charges; and, last October, handling stolen goods and heroin possession.

Cooney, previously of Chatsworth Square, Carlisle, was handed a 24-month jail term and another driving ban.

It comes after the crown court heard that Cooney had been handed a suspended prison term last September, banned from driving until 2022 and given a 12-week night-time curfew.

Magistrates heard he had clocked up his 10th disqualified driving conviction after a badly-parked vehicle was seen outside a Carlisle chip shop.

A month later he was back in trouble, the court was told.

On October 21 he was found to have been inside a stolen £4,000 Skoda Fabia which he later admitted buying for £100.

In the passenger side of the vehicle was a petty cash box and stamps which had also been pinched - from an estate office near Carlisle. In addition, Cooney had 3g of class A heroin in his possession.

He was then in further trouble on November 7.

"At approximately 11pm," said prosecutor Neil Ronan, "a police officer on plain-clothes duty in an unmarked vehicle was on patrol at Newlaithes Avenue.

"He received information that the defendant was driving a Vauxhall Vectra."

That car was approached, Cooney was arrested and he gave a no-comment interview.

His criminal record, the court heard, showed 42 convictions for 124 offences - several for dishonesty.

Greg Hoare, defending, said time in custody had given him a chance to "reflect" on his conduct.

Cooney had undergone emergency surgery after developing a complication following a previous hernia operation.

Mr Hoare spoke of a "brush with mortality" and "a wake-up call" for Cooney.

The barrister added: "It has given him cause to reflect and, no doubt spending what is his 40th birthday coming up in custody, (he) needs to give himself something of a fresh start."

Judge Peter Davies imposed a 24-month prison sentence, telling Cooney: "I am going to give you some further time to reflect.

"I hope I don't see you again."