Britain’s most convicted driver, described by his lawyer as a ”likeable idiot”, was sent to prison on Wednesday for five months for flouting his 48th driving ban.
Bouncer Jamie Manderson (33) from Swindon, south-west England, has nearly 200 previous convictions, mostly for motoring misdemeanours.
But his wealth of bans has not quelled his love of the open road.
”Jamie is a likeable idiot, really,” his lawyer Rob Ross said outside court.
”He just doesn’t understand the words ‘Don’t drive’.”
In addition to being hooked on heroin, ”Jamie has a very serious addiction to cars. He just can’t leave them alone.
”During the 1980s he used to steal cars to order and he made a lot of money,” he added.
”Some people are obsessed with decorating but Jamie is obsessed with cars.
”The government clearly does not take driving whilst disqualified seriously. You are never, ever going to get more than six months in prison for it.”
Manderson was spotted behind the wheel of a BMW by a police officer who instantly recognised his stocky frame.
He was imprisoned after admitting to driving while disqualified and without insurance in June, shortly after a spell in jail for the same offences.
The bouncer has been disqualified from driving every year since 1988 when he was just 15. — Sapa-AFP