A BANNED driver who got behind the wheel while almost twice the limit has been told he could face jail.

Burnley Magistrates heard John Paul Lawrence, 23, claimed he had not been driving and refused to answer police questions.

Lawrence, of Ann Street, Brierfield, had been convicted in his absence of driving with excess alcohol, no insurance and driving while disqualified.

He was bailed until January 14 for a pre-sentence report and the bench told him they were not ruling out custody.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting told the court that in September 2002 police on duty in Brierfield in the early hours saw a car pull out in front of them.

The officers had to brake sharply and the defendant was recognised. Police turned around and saw the car parked half on the pavement, with Lawrence seemingly climbing into the passenger side.

Lawrence was incoherent, rambling, claimed he was the passenger and said that he was drunk.

He was taken to the police station where he refused to answer any questions. He began singing and shouting.

The lower of two breath tests showed 65 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 mililitres of breath - the legal limit is 35.

John Rusius, defending, said Lawrence had no previous convictions for disqualified driving. He had always denied he was the driver.

A warrant had been issused for his arrest after the last hearing and Lawrence waited for police to turn up. He got fed up and handed himself in.