A MAN was arrested for stealing a DVD player after he was stopped for driving without insurance.

Scott Edwards, of Avon Road, Tolladine, Worcester, stole the DVD player, valued at £80, from the Co-op Store in St John's, Worcester Magistrates heard.

"A blue Vauxhall Cavalier drove off from the scene and the registration was recorded and a description of the offenders was passed on to police," said John Barnett, prosecuting.

After the theft of the DVD player on Wednesday, November 27, Edwards, aged 24, was involved in a road traffic collision on Sunday, December 1.

Police officers recognised Edwards from the Co-op staff member's description and he was arrested for theft.

Cheltenham Magistrates had also disqualified Edwards from driving for six months on Friday, November 1, the court heard.

Edwards was charged with theft, driving while disqualified, and driving without insurance.

He was released on bail but two days later he was arrested again for driving while disqualified and driving without insurance, Mr Barnett told the court on Monday, December 23.

Brian O'Connell, defending, said Edwards had not been aware he had been disqualified from driving.

Worcester Crown Court gave Edwards a drugs treatment and testing order for common assault on Monday, October 15, 2001, but he will be before Worcester Crown Court for breaching that order on Friday, January 3.

Edwards admitted the theft and motoring offences and was sentenced to 25 weeks in custody in total.