Police caught him driving his girlfriend home from a party on January 1, and yesterday he received a three-month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months.

Magistrate the Wor. Cheryl Ann Mapp also fined the 22-year-old $800 and ordered him off the road for another 18 months.

The prosecution told her this was the third time Bucy had been caught driving while disqualified.

"You have shown a flagrant disregard for the order of this court,'' she said.

Bucy, of Littleholme Lane, Southampton, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified in the early hours of New Year's Day.

Prosecutor Sgt. Donald Grant said Police spotted Bucy driving east along Middle Road, Southampton.

Bucy told Ms Mapp his girlfriend had been at a party in Somerset and had drunk too much to drive.

She had to be home by 3.30 a.m., but was unable to get a taxi, he said.

"Instead of letting her drive and get into an accident I decided to take her home.''