A MOTORIST who was caught driving while he was banned for the third time has been told he could be sent to prison.

Christopher O'Donovan, of Victoria Road, Devizes, admitted driving a car on December 2 while he was serving a ban. He also pleaded guilty to driving the car without insurance.

He appeared before Kennet Magistrates Court in Devizes on Monday and after being told of his previous convictions the magistrates adjourned the case for a report to be drawn up and warned O'Donovan, 38, that they were thinking of sending him to prison.

The court heard that he had two convictions for driving while disqualified.

One of these was in 1995 and he was sent to prison. The other occasion was in March 2000 when he was sentenced to a community service order.

He was banned from driving for six months in July this year.

Police officers saw him driving a car at 10pm on December 2 in Victoria Road, Devizes.

Rachael Hume, prosecuting, said O'Donovan admitted he was driving to the police but thought his ban had expired. It was due to expire on January 29 2002. He also told the police that he had used the vehicle several times with no insurance.

Margaret Wrench, defending, suggested that the case be adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

She said: "This gentleman has a very heavy list of previous convictions, several of which refer to motoring offences. He is aware of the possibility of imprisonment for driving while disqualified."

O'Donovan will be sentenced on January 8 at Chippenham Magistrates Court.