A MAN at the wheel of a 'too heavy' Vauxhall Movano Van while disqualified from driving has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Jakub Jan Nowak, of Northfield Street, Worcester, was driving the Vauxhall Movano Van at Back Road West, Eastern Docks in Dover on Wednesday, March 6.

The 39-year-old pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without third-party insurance, at Folkestone Magistrates' Court.

Nowak was also using the van while the maximum weight shown on the manufacturer's plate was exceeded.

The van's manufacturer's plate shows the gross weight as 3,500 kg.

The weight was measured and found to weigh 3950 kg representing an overload of 12.86 per cent.

For driving while disqualified, magistrates handed him a six-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months because the offence was so serious.

Nowak must pay £154 to fund victim services and £85 court costs.

He was also disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for six months.

There were no separate penalties for the two other offences.