A 21-YEAR old who overtook a police officer on the A59 near Bolton Abbey while banned from driving has been told he faces a possible prison sentence.

Josh Church overtook the officer, who was in an unmarked car, and another vehicle at just after 11am on November 28 last year, heard Skipton Magistrates Court  today (Friday).

In order to get past the two vehicles, Church, who was driving a Ford Fiesta, crossed over a solid white line into the two-lane carriageway heading in the direction of Harrogate.

The officer caught up with Church at Bolton Abbey roundabout and indicated for him to pull over. Church proceeded to give the officer his brother's details and when correspondence was sent to his address because he is in the Navy based at Portsmouth, his sister contacted him and opened the letter for him. Church's brother knew nothing about it.

The officer was made aware of what had happened and interviewed Josh Church in early May. The court heard had advice been sought from the prosecution service, Church could have been charged with perverting the course of justice, but the decision was made not to proceed.

Church, of Ascot Road, Wigginton, York, admitted driving while disqualified, failing to comply with road markings, using a vehicle without insurance and wilfully obstructing a police officer.

He is due to be sentenced at York Magistrates Court on July 11.