A COUNCILLOR who was elected less than three weeks ago has been given a suspended prison sentence for driving while disqualified and without insurance.

Mumshad Ahmed, 35, of Hurcott Road, Kidderminster, was given a 12 weeks sentence, suspended for one year, subject to him carrying out 200 hours of unpaid community work.

He was also banned from driving for two years.

He has been a Wyre Forest district councillor for a year and won a seat on Worcestershire County Council earlier this month.

Conservative councillor, Ahmed, stood before Redditch magistrates today, charged with two counts of driving while disqualified on May 14 in Mill Street and Baxter Avenue in Kidderminster.

He was also charged with one count of driving without insurance on the same day.

Today’s hearing had originally been adjourned from May 15 for a pre-sentence report to be prepared, after Ahmed had pleaded guilty to the charges.

Fiona Buckingham, prosecuting, said Ahmed was disqualified from driving for six months on December 9, 2008.

She explained that on May 14 he had been seen by police driving in Mill Street and turning into Margaret Thatcher House at about 12.30pm.

The officers had recognised Ahmed as he was a local councillor, she added.

The same day, at about 9.30pm, he was seen driving in Baxter Avenue and turning into Emery Court, Miss Buckingham said.

When he was pulled over by police, “he admitted he had driven twice that day and knew he was disqualified”, she went on.

John Rogers, defending, said Ahmed, who owns the Indian Style restaurant in Comberton Place, had been “struggling” with his business recently and was at risk of losing his house.

Mr Rogers explained if the suspended sentence was more than three months, Ahmed would lose his seats on the councils.

Ahmed made a “grave error of judgement”, Mr Rogers said, adding: “He saw the car and drove it. It’s as simple as that.”

District judge, Michael Wheeler, said Ahmed would be given a prison sentence if he appeared before the court again.

Ahmed was elected as a county councillor for St George’s and St Oswald’s in this year’s poll, ousting Liberal, Graham Ballinger and made history as the district council’s first Asian councillor when he was voted in last year in Broadwaters.