Salesman drove while banned from road
He dodges jail term
A salesman who drove under a false name while banned from getting behind the wheel has narrowly avoided a jail sentence.
Shane Stride, 32, was at the wheel of 2.0L VW Golf when he was pulled over by cops in Paisley and found to be driving without a licence or insurance.
Stride was later snared driving a Ford Focus hatchback while pretending he was another motorist named Andrew Kirkpatrick.
He appeared at Paisley Sheriff Court yesterday and pleaded guilty to charges of driving while disqualified, driving without proper insurance and driving under a false name on April 13, in Paisley and Hillington.
Defence agent Kevin Brady appealed to the court to hand his client a non-custodial punishment, given his acceptance of guilt.
He said: “He was banned from driving and during a period of unemployment, he managed to get a good job.
“He is a travelling salesman and if he had disclosed the truth, he would have been dismissed.
“He understands the nature of the offence he has committed by accepting responsibility and in no way has tried to minimise his involvement.”
The lawyer added Stride, whose partner recently gave birth to their first child, was terrified of custody and had come clean to his bosses since his driving rap had come to light.
He added: “The accused has met with his employers and they have made alternative arrangements in his work.
“They have someone pick him up so he can keep his employment.
“They say he is a worthwhile employee and brings in 75 per cent of their business.”
Sheriff James Spy told Stride this was a serious matter and he could expect a lengthy period of disqualification.
He said: “You are in considerable danger of being sent to prison. Driving while disqualified is a serious matter.
“However, you are a parent with a young child with no other convictions and you seem to be a useful member of staff to your employer.”
He handed Stride of East Netherton Street, Kilmarnock, 300 hours of unpaid work, the maximum amount, to be completed within one year and banned him from driving for four years as an alternative to custody.