A 30-YEAR-OLD man who was caught driving when banned has avoided a jail term.

It's not the first time that Sean Ellis had ignored a driving ban.

Ellis, of Woodside Street, Rosyth, appeared in the dock at Alloa Sheriff Court.

He admitted that on June 25 last year, on the A907 road near the Gartarry roundabout, he drove while disqualified and without insurance.

Depute fiscal Susannah Hutchison said that at around 9pm, police had stopped Ellis as a check had shown the car was insured by a female.

Ellis said initially that the car was registered to his business and that if he was not insured to drive it, it was an oversight.

He was allowed to continue on his way but after further inquiries it was discovered he was banned.

Defence solicitor Kelly Howe said her client had driven following an argument with his now ex-partner.

“It’s accepted that’s not a great explanation and he is feeling a great degree of stress about the possibility of custody,” she added.

The court heard Ellis had a previous similar offence on his record.

Sheriff Neil Bowie imposed a community payback order with 300 hours of unpaid work and a four-year driving ban.