A BANNED Carlisle motorist caught driving under the influence of cannabis gave his brother's details to police.

Andrew Bateman, 35, was jailed for 128 days after he admitted a raft of offences - including drug driving and two counts of disqualified driving - when he appeared before a district judge at Carlisle's Rickergate Magistrates Court.

Outlining offences he committed on October 10, prosecutor Pam Ward said police spotted the defendant driving a transit van along the A69 at Scotby at 6.20am on October 10 last year.

He appeared to be under the influence of drugs.

A blood test confirmed that Bateman - who had been a banned driver since April 2017 - had more than twice the legal limit of cannabis in his system.

"When he was stopped he provided a false name and date of birth, giving his brother's details," said Mrs Ward.

As a result of this, Bateman, of Burnett Road, Harraby, was charged with police obstruction - an offence he also admitted.

"He maintained the false identity throughout his stay in custody and during his police interview."

It was only later that police discovered the defendant's true identity, said Mrs Ward.

On November 14, a police officer saw Bateman driving a Ford van in Lorne Crescent, Denton Holme. It was at this point that he admitted giving false details in the earlier police interview.

He had been serving a 36 month ban for driving while under the influence of drugs.

Mike Woolaghan, for Bateman, said that on both occasions when he was caught driving illegally, the defendant had been on his way to work. He had previously had periods when he could not work because of illness.

Thus he had decided he needed to drive to ease the financial pressure he was under.

"Sadly, he has now lost that employment," said Mr Woolaghan.

The lawyer outlined how Bateman suffered from nerve compression in his spine and this had a significant impact on him. A father of three, one of his children was very unwell, said the lawyer. He also had two pet dogs which depended on him.

District Judge Gerald Chalk said the offences were so serious that he had to impose custody.

He imposed 100 days for the latest offences, along with a further 28 days for unpaid fines. In addition, he banned Bateman from driving for a further four years and 64 days, telling the defendant: "I suspect that in view of your history that the DVLA will be reluctant to return your licence till they are satisfied that you have not got a problem with drink or drugs."

On his release from jail, Bateman will have to pay a £115 surcharge.

He also admitted possessing cannabis after the drug was found in his car on October 10 and uninsured driving.