Banned motorist tagged after he drove work’s van

A disqualified driver was caught behind the wheel after his boss ordered him to drop off his work’s van.

Anthony McCallum, 32, was driving the white Renault Trafic van when he was pulled over by cops at Bridge of Weir Road, in Linwood.

Paisley Sheriff Court heard McCallum, who was also caught driving without insurance, was only on the road because “pressure” had been placed upon him to return the work’s vehicle.

Prosecutor Tanjeel Maleque said: “Police witnesses were on uniform mobile patrol and during the course of their patrol they observed a Renault Trafic van which failed to stop at a red at temporary traffic lights.

“As a result of the incident, they decided to give chase before the vehicle stopped a short distance away.

“They obtained the accused’s details and carried out routine checks, during which it emerged the accused was a disqualified driver with no insurance or licence.

“The accused was cautioned and charged and he made no reply.”

McCallum, of Kilbarchan Road, Johnstone, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and driving without insurance on during the incident on September 30.

Defence agent David Nicholson said his client was only banned from the roads on September 25 after totting up 12 penalty points for previous motoring offences.

He said: “He made a very dramatic error of judgement. He has been entirely open about this.

“It is a work’s vehicle and it required to be returned to the place of employment.

“His colleague was not fit to do so. “His employer was also not fit to do so.

“An element of pressure was brought to bear and he carried out his employer’s instructions.”

The lawyer added that McCallum realised he had put himself in a “precarious position” as he has a previous conviction for a similar driving offence.

Mr Nicholson urged the court to consider a communitybased punishment, rather than imprisoning his client.

Sheriff Sukhwinder Gill told McCallum: “The courts take a dim view of those who drive vehicles while disqualified.”

She spared him bail, placing him on an electronic tag for four months, requiring he remain indoors between 7pm and 7am, and banned him from driving for 12 months.