A CHESTER man who drove while disqualified to collect pain relief medicine after a ceiling fell on him has been jailed.

Jason Mead, 40, of Willow Drive, pleaded guilty at the first opportunity to driving a red VW Golf on Saughall Road on July 11 while banned from doing so, and driving without insurance.

Chester Magistrates Court heard on Friday, September 29 Mead had previously been disqualified from driving three times, and four times of driving without insurance.

He was jailed for eight weeks.

Prosecuting, Laura Ward said it was 10.35am when police stopped Mead, who had his partner and their baby as passengers in the vehicle.

Checks were carried out and it was found Mead's driving ban lasted until November.

He had 19 previous convictions for 45 offences.

Defending, Selina Woodward said Mead had, a couple of days prior to this offence, been working when a ceiling fell on him, breaking his collarbone and leaving him with four cracked ribs.

His pain-relief medication was sent to a pharmacy at The Parade, about a mile from his address, and walking was too painful. His partner was unable to drive that day and he "was in absolute agony" so "made the stupid decision to drive the short distance".

Mead was "well aware" he could face custody.

A probation report heard Mead had "minimal engagement" with the probation officer, missing several appointments, but when he did attend he was "compliant and engaging".

Magistrates sentenced Mead to eight weeks in prison and ordered him to pay court costs totalling £274.

He was also banned from driving for 12 months.