STUDENT DROVE BMW TO ‘FIT IN’ AT COLLEGE

Banned 22-year-old had taken vehicle without permission

DISQUALIFIED driver Sian Booth drove a fellow student’s BMW as she wanted to ‘fit in’.

The 22-year-old was banned from driving after trying to evade police in July 2020.

But she was spotted by police driving in College Road, Stoke, and when officers carried out checks they discovered the car was registered to a man. Officers performed a U-turn, but the defendant fled.

Now Booth, pictured in 2021, has had her suspended jail sentence extended from 16 months to two years, with a rehabilitation activity requirement for 15 days and 50 hours’ unpaid work at Stoke-on-trent Crown Court.

Prosecutor Philip Beardwell said the owner of a black BMW left his car at college in Burslem on December 8.

“He gave no permission for anybody to use that vehicle. Police on duty on College Road, Stoke, saw the black BMW at 12.30pm being driven by the defendant. She had two passengers,” said Mr Beardwell.

“The officer realised it was registered to a man and performed a U-turn. He saw the defendant exit the vehicle and walk away.

“He spoke to the passengers. She was driving to Hanley Park to film for a college assignment. She was disqualified from driving.

“Her passengers tried to call her, but she did not answer. She did not return. Police arrested her at her home on December 9.”

The offences placed her in breach of a 16-month suspended jail sentence she received last year for dangerous driving, possession of class B drug with intent to supply, acquiring criminal property and possession of a class B drug.

Booth, of Harvey Road, Meir, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified, driving without insurance and breaching a suspended jail sentence.

Barry White, mitigating, said the defendant accepts the ‘stupidity’ of her actions. He told the court: “She had only just started her course and was trying to fit in. She used the vehicle to transport the students so they could participate in the filming. The vehicle belonged to her friend’s partner.”

He said the defendant had complied with all aspects of the suspended sentence order apart from the mental health element which has not started.

Mr White said if Booth was sent to prison she would not receive any support from mental health services. He added: “She is now not on drugs. She now needs extra support to make sure she makes the right choices in life.”

Judge Graeme Smith said: “You have once again made stupid decisions. You are at very serious risk of going to custody.

“But you are still young and immature. You had not, at the time of these new offences, had the opportunity to undertake the mental health treatment that was part of the previous order. You have complied well with the order.”

The judge reserved any breaches to himself.