A MOTORIST who has been caught driving while disqualified FIVE times in the last 12 years has been jailed.

George Kennedy’s latest offence was when he was caught driving his daughter’s Kia Rio in Colchester Road, Ardleigh. last Thursday.

Officers pulled him over just after midnight after becoming concerned about the manner of his driving.

Once he was out of the car, police noticed he was unsteady on his feet and had slurred speech but a roadside breath test showed he did not have any alcohol in his system.

Kennedy, 50, was transferred to hospital where he refused to give a blood sample.

He initially told medics he did not want to give it for religious reasons and then that he was scared of needles despite having a tattoo.

His last driving ban had expired in February, but he had not taken the necessary retest in order to regain his licence.

Kennedy admitted driving while disqualified and without insurance and failing to provide a specimen at a previous hearing.

He was jailed for 12 weeks when he appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court.

Shade Abiodun, mitigating, said Kennedy did not want to give blood because of memories of his mother’s cancer treatment.

She said: “His mother died of cancer in June and he was with her in the latter stages of her life being pricked and prodded with needles.

“When being asked to provide a sample, those were the memories which came flooding back to him.

“He does have a tattoo but got it when he was 17.

“He did offer to provide a urine sample but understands it is not his choice.

“He did want to take a re-test, some steps had been taken but none the less he should not have done it.”

The court heard Kennedy was also re-started using hard drugs since his mother’s death.

Kennedy, of Nayland Drive, Clacton, will be freshly disqualified from driving for two years once he is released from jail.

He must also pay a victim surcharge of £315.