A DISQUALIFIED driver was put in prison for three weeks for driving to the shops during a ban with children in the car.

Mark Young was described as idiotic by his lawyer as he could’ve easily made the walk to get groceries but instead drove while he wasn’t allowed on May 13 in Kincaidston Drive in Ayr.

The 22-year-old will now have to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work and faces a further ban.

Depute Fiscal Ed Sheeran told Ayr Sheriff Court that young was caught by nearby police who saw him drive to the shops in a black Mercedes. Mr Sheeran said: “The charges speak for themselves in this matter. Police witnesses noticed he was a disqualified driver while he was driving.”

Young’s solicitor Mr Robert Logan told the court his client made a “stupid decision”. Mr Logan said: “He had an opportunity for working. He took the monumentally stupid decision to take the car out to the shops to get food with children in the car.”

Sheriff John Montgomery was startled at this, telling Mr Logan: “He could’ve walked to the shops.”

Mr Logan agreed: “Yes, he is a young fit man. He knows it was idiotic and could have easily saved himself three weeks in custody.”

Mr Logan also told the court that his client has recently become a father and reiterated that he is “fit and able” to carry out unpaid work. Young appeared from custody last Tuesday, June 4. He was also accused of driving the car with no insurance but was admonished on this charge.

Young was released from prison but will now have to take up 180 hours of unpaid work for the community and was further banned for a year.

Sheriff Montgomery told Young, of Saltcoats: “I do hope that the taste you’ve had of custody has changed your mind of certain things you should be doing.”