(Image: Kevin Glenton)
A disqualified driver who jumped traffic lights as a police officer watched has been given a new, longer ban by York magistrates.
Sarah Tyrer, prosecuting, said Ethan Dennis Barnett, 24, masqueraded as his brother when the officer pulled him over.
But she saw through his pretence and he gave his real name and other details.
Barnett, of Highmoor Close, Dringhouses, pleaded guilty to obstructing police, driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance, all committed in Old Malton on February 4.
He had been banned from driving on November 18, 2025, under the totting-up procedure after he was caught speeding and driving without insurance.
The ban expired on May 17 this year.
Magistrates banned him again, this time for nine months, gave him a 12-month community order with 80 hours’ unpaid work and ordered him to pay a £114 statutory surcharge and £85 prosecution costs.
Ms Tyrer said the police officer saw Barnett go through a red light in Malton at 4.30am on February 4.
He was driving his brother’s car and admitted when questioned that he knew he was a banned driver.
For Barnett, duty solicitor Harry Bayman said he had been socialising with friends and wasn’t sure if the lights were showing amber or red when he went through them.
Barnett had told him that when the police officer asked him for details, he thought she was asking about details of the car owner.
He had mental health problems.
There was no suggestion he was drink driving.