A banned driver was caught behind the wheel in Birmingham after suffering a panic attack on public transport, a court heard.
Despite a disqualification for previous drug driving, Mohhammod Suleman was seen travelling in his Skoda Octavia on Hunton Hill, Erdington on April 3 this year.
The 24-year-old, of adjoining Hunton Road, breached his driving ban as his friend had previously been brutally attacked on public transport, Birmingham Magistrates' Court heard this week.
Suleman, a warehouse worker, was rumbled as a mobile police patrol picked up a disqualified motorist driving in the area.
Prosecuting, Zuzanna Pogorzelska said: "This matter dates back to April 3 when two police officers on mobile patrol received information that a disqualified driver was in the vicinity. They have identified that the vehicle was being driven by the defendant."
Police officers stopped the car and the defendant provided false details to the police. He was arrested and taken into custody, then he provided the correct details.
He was previously banned from driving for 12 months for drug driving, with the recent offence in April taking place shortly after the disqualification, the prosecutor said. There was no collision caused and no evidence of bad driving, she added.
He pleaded guilty to driving whilst disqualified at the earliest opportunity.
Mitigating, Ms Begum told the court: "He is unfortunately somebody who was disqualified quite recently. He drove, on that occasion, because the day before he had a panic attack on public transport."
He had been anxious about travelling as previously his friend was brutally attacked on public transport, she added. "He is apologetic and remorseful. He is the main source of income in his household and his mother does rely heavily on his income for the household. He is fit and able for unpaid work. He does have previous convictions but none of a similar nature."
Suleman was handed a 12 month community order and told to pay a total of £491 to the court, including a £292 fine, £114 victim surcharge and £85 prosecution costs.
"The offence of driving while disqualified is serious enough that we are making a community order," said chair of the bench, Ms Foazder. "You will have to comply with the community order."
His driving ban was extended by six months, totalling 16 months disqualification. Ms Foazder told him: "If you drive while disqualified, that will be another offence. Please don't drive again, I don't want to see you back in this court."
