A sheriff told a solicitor that his client needed to be "punished".

On Thursday at Alloa Sheriff Court, Thomas Brownlee admitted driving a car while disqualified and without insurance and an MOT along Main Street in Cambus on January 31 this year.

Fiscal depute Ann Orr told the court that the accused was pulled over by officers when they saw him behind the wheel, knowing he should not be driving.

The 33-year-old, of Craighorn Road in Alva, told police: "I thought my ban was up in December or else I wouldn't have been driving."

Brownlee also claimed that he'd insured the vehicle and thought it had an MOT, but it didn't.

Defence agent Robert Smith stated that it was "stupidity" on his client's part and he was now paying the consequences.

The accused, who appeared from custody, was said to be the sole breadwinner for his partner and kids. 

If he was sent to prison it would cost him his job, which would affect his family.

However, Sheriff Christopher Shead was not happy at Brownlee's blatant disregard towards his driving ban.

In response to Mr Smith's submission to follow the recommendation within the Criminal Justice Social Work report, Sheriff Shead stated: "He doesn't need supervision, he needs punished."

Sheriff Shead took time to deliberate. He recalled the case later to which Brownlee told him: "I've learned my lesson."

Sheriff Shead banned the accused from driving for a further 30 months, endorsed his licence and sentenced him to a Community Payback Order with 120 hours of unpaid work to be completed within six months as a direct alternative to jail.