(Image: The Northern Echo)
A banned driver did not know he had been disqualified until police arrested him behind the wheel of a Ford Transit, a court heard.
Jake Hopper had a qualified driver with him when police stopped him on Middridge Road, Newton Aycliffe, on July 23.
But magistrates heard he had been banned from driving for six months under the totting-up rules exactly a month earlier.
Prosecutor Paul Anderson said a member of the public reported Hopper’s driving to police, who stopped him and took his correct details.
Peterlee magistrates were told the defendant was unaware he had been disqualified from driving a month earlier when stopped by police in July
A police check then revealed his recent disqualification.
Mr Anderson said Hopper had previous driving convictions from 2020 and 2023.
Hopper, 25, formerly of Deneside, Spennymoor, but now of no fixed abode, admitted driving while disqualified and uninsured.
In mitigation, Mo Aftab said Hopper pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.
Mr Aftab said Hopper must pass an extended test before he can drive legally after his ban ends, but can still hold a provisional licence.
“On the day he was stopped, the police said they didn’t think anything was wrong with the manner of his driving, only the manner of his braking.
“He had a female passenger supervising his driving.
“Unfortunately, in June he had been disqualified when he didn’t know about it.”
Mr Aftab said Hopper had been sofa-surfing and did not know about any letter confirming his disqualification.
“He had been insured and so, he was between a rock and a hard place, thinking he had done everything right and that’s how he’s ended up here today.”
Mr Aftab said Hopper has just started work and was seeking stable accommodation while living at his mother’s address.
Magistrates fined him £750 and ordered him to pay £385 in surcharge and court costs.
He was also banned from driving for a further six months, until April 18.