A man was caught by police when he drove his vehicle just days before his disqualification was supposed to end.

Stuart Dix, of Olive Grove in Pinehurst, appeared before Swindon Magistrates Court on July 28 and pleaded guilty driving without insurance and driving without a licence.

On May 6, police were called to Olive Grove after a member of the public called 999 due to suspicious activity.

Swindon Advertiser: Stuart Dix convicted for driving when disqualified

Police arrived and waited for the defendant to come home, the court heard, before checking his records and finding out that he was disqualified from driving.

The disqualification was due to end on May 9, just 3 days after he was caught. Dix had been disqualified from driving for 10 months due to a previous driving offence.

Gordon Hotson, representing Dix, told magistrates how the defendant had been saving up for a car during his disqualification.

He had bought a car, insured it and was anticipating being able to drive it.

Mr Hotson said that Dix “thought his ban ended on May 4 and gave a lift to a girl in her twenties".

"He simply miscalculated when he was legally able to drive," the solicitor continued.

When discussing sentencing, Hotson explained that Dix suffers from severe anxiety. This makes it extremely challenging for him to use public transport and he cannot afford taxis.

Whilst being sentenced, Dix shook his head and muttered that the incident was a “stupid mistake”.

Dix was disqualified from driving for 6 weeks and fined £120.