A banned motorist seen driving illegally around Carlisle by police fled when one of his van's wheels fell off.

When he was seen spotted by police before 10pm on October 13, Luke Robert Whitefield, 19, was still serving a six month disqualification for an offence of careless driving, magistrates sitting at Carlisle's Rickergate court heard.

The defendant, of Wigton Road, Carlisle, admitted four driving offences: disqualified driving, uninsured driving, using a vehicle without a valid test certificate, and using a trailer that was in a dangerous condition.

Peter Kelly, prosecuting, said the defendant was banned on February 21.

Yet on the day of the offence police officers saw him driving in his Vauxhall van illegally in Victoria Place, Carlisle.

Their suspicions aroused, the officers pursued the defendant's van into Lismore Place.

"The officers could see that the headlight was completely defective," said Mr Kelly.

"They turned around and followed him into Lismore Place, and then saw a large cloud of dust. The driver then got out of the van and ran off from the Astra."

After trying but failing to catch up with the driver, the officers checked over the abandoned Astra and found that the nearside driver's side wheel had fallen. Police finally caught up with Whitefield the next day, when he admitted being banned. He also accepted that his van was in a dangerous condition.

Malcolm Dodds, for Whitefield, told magistrates that half way through his driving ban the defendant had the opportunity to buy this particular can.

"It was a bit of an old banger," said Mr Dodds, accepting that the defendant was foolishly carrying passengers when he was spotted by police.

He had driven it from Tesco - a relatively short distance - and it was in a dangerous condition, conceded the lawyer.

"It could have caused someone, including himself, serious problems," said Mr Dodds, adding that Whitfield now felt genuine remorse.

Magistrates imposed a further nine month driving ban, and told the defendant he must complete 200 hours of unpaid work in the community.

In addition, he must pay an £85 victim surcharge and prosecution costs of the same amount.