A 35-year-old Inverkeithing ignored a driving ban on successive days.

Kyle McPake feared a jail sentence for his offending, but instead he was ordered to pay a fine and carry out unpaid work, and escaped with just a year’s driving ban after a sentencing hearing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

McPake admitted that on August 4 and 5 at the BP Garage, Harbour Drive, Dalgety Bay, and elsewhere he drove while disqualified and without insurance.

Depute fiscal Catherine Stevenson said police officers saw McPake walking into the service station at 3.30am and were aware he was banned from driving. McPake did not go back to his vehicle and instead walked away “waving and laughing”.

CCTV video was later checked by police and it showed McPake driving into the garage then putting his car in a parking area. In fact, the CCTV showed him driving into the garage on two successive days.

Defence solicitor Aime Allan said her client had been driving to his work on both occasions.

“He made the decision to drive and he knows he may be facing a custodial sentence,” she added.

Instead, Sheriff Craig McSherry imposed a community payback with 200 hours of unpaid work and fines totalling £800.

He also initially banned McPake from driving for four years. However, after an inquiry was raised by the defence solicitor, the sheriff changed to disqualification period to just a year, without explanation.

McPake was already banned until next year by his original disqualification.