Banned driver is caught behind the wheel wearing a moon boot
A banned motorist suspected of driving as he wore a moon boot following an operation is set to face a dangerous driving charge in court.
The 31-year-old, who had previously been disqualified from driving, was stopped by Northumbria Police on the afternoon of Sunday, December 27, after the vehicle, which was pulling a large trailer, was seen driving in the middle of the road.
An officer pulled over the vehicle and as they approached, discovered the suspected driver was wearing a large, black moon boot – after having surgery on his leg just 10 days earlier.
The man was promptly arrested and upon his arrival in custody, it emerged he was already disqualified and was wanted for a string of other offences.
He has since been charged with dangerous driving and will appear before South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court in the New Year.
Chief Inspector Sam Rennison, of Northumbria Police, said: “This arrest came as a result of a proactive officer trusting his policing instinct.
“He has seen something that didn’t look quite right and that has resulted in the arrest of a man already disqualified from driving and who was wanted for a string of offences.
“This driver also faces be
ing convicted of dangerous driving after telling officers he had been driving while
wearing a large moon boot covering his leg.
“That could be inc red
ibly dangerous and people should know it could constitute a criminal offence if we deem you not to be in a position to suitably control a vehicle.
“We have also seized this vehicle.
"It was completely unsuitable to be drive non the roads with one ty re completely bare and another dangerously underinflated.
“Our officers will continue to carry out patrols across the festive period and keep you safe by trusting our policing instinct.”
The incident happened as the officer was on patrol on Haggs Lane, in Lamesley, just a short distance off the A1 in Gateshead.
The man was summonsed to court in the New Year for dangerous driving and will also face charges of driving with no insurance and driving with no licence.