A banned driver proved to be a little impatient when he was caught test driving a BMW, just weeks before his year-long disqualification came to an end.

Stewart Bees, of Horse Shoe Drive, Stoke Bishop, was trying out the car because his mum had given him money towards buying a new one.

He was caught during a police crackdown on motorists because the BMW had a faulty rear light, Bristol Magistrates' Court heard yesterday.

Bees, 25, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without insurance on April 30, and could end up in prison as a result.

Magistrates adjourned the case until today for an all-options pre-sentence report. The defendant was released on unconditional bail.

Nisha Patel, prosecuting, said: "He was previously disqualified for 12 months for having no insurance on June 24 last year.

"Just before 4pm on April 30 an officer was on duty and saw a BMW on the A4 Portway.

"The near side stop light was not working so he was asked to follow to Ashton Gate for a check.

"He initially gave a false name but a fingerprint check revealed who he was."

Bees already had three previous convictions for driving while disqualified, the court heard, and was given a prison sentence last June, where his recreational drug habit became a heroin addict.

Peter Richardson, defending, said: "In June of last year he was given a prison sentence.

"Up to that point he had used drugs recreationally but was not an addict.

"Then in prison he developed a heroin addiction, he was lonely and down and it has blighted him ever since.

"His mother said she would assist with money to buy a motor vehicle.

"He very foolishly and stupidly started looking in anticipation, and saw this BMW was for sale.

"He decided to take it for a relatively short test drive.

"He didn't know that day there was an operation being run by the police and he was stopped.

"He is very anxious to get some assistance from the courts in relation to his problem with drugs."