A MAN who used a forged Latvian driving licence to obtain a UK one was given a suspended prison sentence today.

Aleksejs Guls, 24, applied to the DVLA to exchange the Latvian licence for a British one, Bradford Crown Court heard.

The application was processed and the licence issued to Guls at his home in Raglan Terrace, Thornbury, Bradford. But further checks by an expert concluded the Latvian licence was a forgery and Guls was arrested.

Guls, now of Pasture Road, Goole, pleaded guilty to possessing an identity document with an improper intention, and using a copy of a false instrument with intent.

He was sentenced to two months imprisonment suspended for a year, with a 12-month community order, including 200 hours of unpaid work.

Recorder John Thackray told Guls: "This is a serious matter. The laws relating to driving licences are an important safeguard for the safety of the roads, and the breach of them causes much public concern."