A FORMER 'career criminal' was caught driving while disqualified in Thornliebank.

Father-of-three James Alexander was returning his sister's car following an MOT when he was stopped by police.

The 58-year-old was stopped on Thornliebank Road when officers discovered he had no valid license or insurance for the vehicle.

Alexander appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to the charges.

His solicitor explained he had "felt obliged to help" his sister, who had been caring for the pair's elderly mother.

He said: "The car belongs to his sister.

"He was stopped by police as it showed the car did not have an MOT, as the MOT had not yet reached [the centre]."

The court heard Alexander, of Fyvie Avenue, had previous convictions for the same thing, the last one being four years previously.

He also admitted in reports that he was a "retired career criminal" and said to the court he had previously been involved in drug dealing.

He told Sheriff Alan Miller he thought it was "best to be honest".

Sheriff Miller ordered Alexander to do 12 months community service, and banned him from driving until 2020.