Unlicensed driver failed to stop for patrol

A DRIVER caught behind the wheel of a vehicle reported stolen failed to stop for police.

Unlicensed Daniel Fearnley, of St James Street in Milnrow, was seen driving the Renault Kadjar near Huddersfield on Sunday, August 18.

The vehicle had been reported as stolen and the officers spotted him on New Mill Road, near Honley, shortly before 4pm.

Alex Bozman, prosecuting, told Kirklees magistrates: “He did a u-turn and they illuminated their blue lights to stop him.

“Mr Fearnley asked what the problem was then drove off at speed.

“He didn’t stop for any police vehicles.”

A colleague of the officers then spotted the 34-year-old and carried out checks which revealed that he didn’t have a licence or insurance.

James Goodfellow, mitigating, said that his client sustained a serious injury to his hand some years ago and the DVLA requested further information about this. He is also illiterate and struggled with the documentation, he said.

Mr Goodfell told magistrates: “He’s put the cart before the horse and driven before he is allowed to. He knows that before he can get on the road he needs to make an application to get the necessary documents and he hasn’t in this particular case.”

Fearnley pleaded guilty to failing to stop, using a vehicle without insurance and driving otherwise then in accordance with a licence. He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £32 victim surcharge.

His licence will be endorsed with eight penalty points.