PRISON WARNING FOR DISQUALIFIED DRIVER

Motorist flouted court order on four occasions

NUISANCE motorist Andrew Proctor was caught driving while disqualified – four times.

The 33-year-old, right, received a 12-month ban on February 2 when he clocked up 12 penalty points on his licence.

Police stopped him behind the wheel of his work Transit van on March 8, when he told them he did not realise he was disqualified.

And he then went on to get stopped three more times while behind the wheel.

Magistrates at North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard he also pleaded ignorance when he was pulled over less than a week later.

Prosecutor Simon Dykes said: “On March 14 in James Brindley Way, the attention of a police officer in an unmarked car was drawn to a black Corsa. It was stopped and Mr Proctor was the driver. He again said that he did not know he was disqualified.” Proctor, of Greenhead Street, Burslem, then called police himself on April 17.

Mr Dykes said: “Mr Proctor called the police with regard to criminal damage to the vehicle he was driving. Police arrived and saw him driving a Ford Transit.

“This time he admitted he knew he was disqualified.

“On August 16 on Scotia

Road, a police officer on patrol saw a Ford Transit and recognised that the vehicle was being driven by the defendant. He was arrested.”

Proctor pleaded guilty to four charges of driving while disqualified and four of driving without insurance.

Emma Wiseman, mitigating, said: “The reason for him driving in each case was work. These were not recreational reasons.

“He is a man who has suffered with his mental health for some time. For these reasons I would ask for a pre-sentence report before he is sentenced.”

Magistrates agreed and Proctor was referred to the Probation Service. He was told his offences are so serious he could face prison. He will learn his fate on December 7.