A Bristol man who has never passed a driving test was jailed after he was convicted of driving while disqualified for the 15th time.

Steven Trotter, 26, from Hartcliffe, found the theory test too hard so did not make it to the practical, Bristol Magistrates' Court heard.

That did not stop him driving a Jeep Cherokee on Broadoak Hill, Withywood, while disqualified and without insurance on February 15, or driving while disqualified 14 times before that.

He admitted the two offences when he appeared in court yesterday and was imprisoned for eight weeks by magistrates.

Trotter was disqualified for another 12 months and told he would still need to sit an extended driving test before he could drive again, despite the fact he has never passed the basic test.

Andrea Edwards, prosecuting, said: "Mr Trotter was disqualified on two counts, on December 28, 2002 for dangerous driving and again on August 3, 2004 for driving while disqualified.

"Officers were on patrol in Withywood and saw the Jeep Cherokee in Bishport Avenue.

"They stopped the vehicle, completed a check and found he was disqualified.

"He was arrested and at interview said he had not passed a driving test and only had a provisional licence."

The court heard Trotter, of Dowling Road, had a history of driving offences but had never passed any driving competency test. His last offence was a year ago, when he was also sent to prison.

Zoe Lash, defending, said: "He doesn't have a good history relating to driving offences, he tried to sit the theory test but found it very difficult. He left school when he was 15.

"Last year in prison it was discovered he may suffer from ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and he is awaiting a doctor's referral.

"He has always been very interested in cars; he works on them as a hobby but has very poor impulse control."