A banned driver told police he drove his car "because it was raining".

Daniel Copeland, 25, of Mendip Heights, Didcot, was sentenced to a 100-hour community service order for driving while disqualified, and a further 60 hours - to run concurrently - for making off without paying for petrol at a garage. He was ordered to pay £55 costs.

At Didcot Court, Karen Williams, prosecuting, said Copeland had been disqualified from driving for six months in November last year, and was arrested when police saw him driving a Volvo outside his home on April 5, before the expiry of the ban.

"Initially he would not give his name," said Ms Williams, "although he later admitted driving while disqualified - he said he did it because it was raining."

Copeland, who was further disqualified for 60 days, also admitted breaching a conditional discharge imposed for making off without paying for petrol at the Marcham Road Service Station, Abingdon.

There was no separate penalty for driving without insurance, which Copeland also admitted, and he was ordered to attend a fines court on May 22 for alleged non-payment of fines outstanding for previous convictions.