A disqualified driver hired a car because it was the only way he could make important medical appointments, a court heard.

David Medley, who is waiting for a kidney transplant, admitted two charges of driving while disqualified, two of driving without insurance and two fraud charges at Exeter Magistrates' Court yesterday.

The 53-year-old was banned from driving on August 6 at the court – but was re-arrested after leaving that hearing and getting straight behind the wheel of a Renault Megane. He was charged with driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

The court was then told he did not forfeit his driving licence as required and used it to fraudulently hire a car and get an insurance policy from Europcar in Exeter a week later.

Mark Barton, prosecuting, said: "He did not tell them that he was disqualified and obtained the rental of a car and insurance, which would not have been valid in any case."

He said Medley had been banned in 2000 for driving with excess alcohol in his bloodstream and was convicted of failing to provide a blood sample for police in 2001.

Jennifer Stetson, defending, said: "He has an enlarged heart and has kidney failure, which cannot be treated by dialysis, so he is on the waiting list for a kidney transplant."

She said her client, of Devondale Court, Dawlish Warren, had been heavily reliant on his car because he had to attend numerous medical appointments around Devon.

The case was adjourned until 10am on Friday, October 8, for sentencing. Medley was released on bail.