A MAN has been jailed for yet again flouting court driving bans - 24 times.

Christopher Warburton also had 19 convictions for driving without insurance and yet still got behind the wheel. 

Police caught him in Stirling Road, Dumbarton on May 10.

A sheriff said there was no alternative to jailing someone with a "flagrant disregard for the law".

Even when he is eventually freed, Warburton will remain disqualified from driving for another decade. He could only get behind the wheel again, legally, if he passed the extended test of competency.

But Dumbarton Sheriff Court heard the 42-year-old had claimed he had forgotten when his previous driving ban expired.

Fiscal depute Euan Nicholson said in a June 11 hearing that Warburton was seen driving around 1.40pm. Police checks quickly found he was disqualified and he was arrested.

He pleaded guilty when he first appeared from custody to driving while disqualified and without insurance.

Defence solicitor Scott Adair said social workers reported that his client offered "partial explanations ... for why he stupidly got behind the wheel".

He noted Warburton, of Auchenreoch Avenue, Dumbarton, had been put on a community payback order until November in England and it was transferred to Scotland.

Sheriff Clare Arias said: "Having seen his record, it's pretty shocking. In terms of analogous offending, I have to be honest, I'm really struggling with the possibility of anything other than custody."

She said there were 24 times when he was caught driving while disqualified and 19 without insurance. Two of them were recent.

Mr Adair said the maximum number of unpaid hours of work, 300, and a curfew could be imposed instead of jail.

That would be a "sufficient penalty to mark the court's displeasure", he said.

The sheriff said: "Your agent is working very hard today to keep you out of custody. I have seen your record. You have served time previously for these offences.

"I'm highly dubious about the explanation of why you were driving while disqualified.

"I don't accept you didn't remember how long your disqualification was for.

"I don't see an alternative to a custodial sentence given your record in clear flagrant disregard for the law."

Warburton was jailed for six months and disqualified for 10 years.

He was also fined £750 for having no insurance, but given no time to pay and he will serve extra time in custody instead.