So Solid star avoids jail sentence

So Solid Crew are one of the UK's biggest acts

So Solid Crew member Jason Moore - known to fans as Face - has avoided a jail sentence for driving offences in south London.

Moore was sentenced to a 12-month community rehabilitation order - a form of routine supervision - at Camberwell Green Magistrates Court.

He pleaded guilty last month to driving while disqualified and without insurance in Calais Street, Brixton, near his home.

If you drive following the disqualification that I have just imposed, you are likely to go into custody

District Judge Susan Green

District Judge Susan Green told him on Thursday that if he broke his driving ban again, he would probably be jailed.

A licence check during the routine stop by police on Thursday 18 April revealed he was serving a ban.

He had been disqualified from driving on 30 March last year until 29 September 2002 after being caught driving without insurance.

Moore told police at the time he thought his ban had expired in January.

'Serious' offence

Moore - wearing a grey and red sweatshirt and trousers - entered the courtroom knowing he could receive up to a six-month term in prison.

But District Judge Green said she gave him credit for pleading guilty to these driving offences.

She said: "Driving whilst disqualified is particularly serious and people do go to prison for driving whilst disqualified.

"I hope you have learnt your lesson by your appearance in court and the effect it has had."

She continued: "I am quite satisfied that the best way forward both for you and the public is to deal with this by way of a community rehabilitation order."

District Judge Green told Moore that he was also disqualified from driving for the next year and warned him to make no mistake about the length of this disqualification.

Constant controversy

"If you drive following the disqualification that I have just imposed, you are likely to go into custody."

Moore was also ordered to pay £50 costs.

Bandmate Asher D - real name Ashley Walters - is currently serving 18 months in a young offenders' institution for possessing a gun.

The band have been dogged by controversy, and were forced to cancel a gig at a university last month in Dublin over safety concerns.

The withdrawal from the bill at Trinity College's end-of-term ball was the latest in a long line of shows that have been scrapped after a shooting at a gig in London in October.

It followed the recent cancellation by promoters, venues and police of the group's nationwide tour and appearance at a summer festival.