Banned driver spared jail term

A banned driver has escaped being put behind bars after getting behind the wheel to get his mum’s shopping.

Magistrates told Darren Roxby, 35, of The Poplars, Easington Lane, his offence crossed the custody threshold and jailed him for eight weeks.

But despite admitting his repeat driving offences were causing them “great concern”, they suspended the sentence for a year.

They heard the jobless former Nissan car plant worker drove the car after his mother’s home shopping delivery failed to arrive.

He was seen by police in Hazard Lane, Hetton, during the return leg at 8.45pm on Thursday, May 28, and arrested.

Prosecutor Grace Taylor told South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court: “Officers were on duty when they noticed the defendant’s vehicle.

“They recognised it as being driven by the defendant and they were aware that he was a disqualified driver.

“They illuminated their lights for him to pull over wh ic h he did . W hen they spoke to him, he immediately admitted being banned and having no insurance.”

The court heard Roxby had been banned from the roads for 20 months on July 2, 2019, for drink-driving, leaving him unable to motor until March next year.

Roxby pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and driving without insurance at a previous hearing.

He was disqualified for a further 15 months, ordered to undergo 20 days’ rehabilitation work with the Probation Service and must pay a £122 victim surcharge and £85 court costs. There was no separate penalty for driving without insurance.