Banned driver ‘took a chance’

A MAN who took a chance on picking up a sick relative from Carmarthen, despite being banned from driving, was caught by police.

Craig James Burman pleaded guilty at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court to a charge of driving while disqualifed and to driving without insurance.

Prosecutor Julie Sullivan said: “Police stopped the defendant’s vehicle, an Audi Q3, on the A484 at Cynwyl Elfed on December 22 at 7.40pm.

She added: “Mr Burman was the driver and he is banned from driving until March 17 this year.”

Burman, aged 31, told police during an interview that he was aware of his disqualification, which had come about due to totting up offences.

He also admitted to having no insurance while being on the road.

Defence solicitor Laura Sherwood said: “This was simply a random stop by police, there was no evidence of poor driving by the defendant.”

A probation report was undertaken before magistrates passed sentence.

Probation officer Tim Jenkins told the court: “On the day Mr Burman had learned from his mother that a family member of his was unwell and he decided to go and pick them up from Carmarthen.

“He did this with the knowledge of his driving disqualification.

“He impulsively drove and was caught.

“His thinking was impulsive and reckless.”

“Mr Burnam has clear thinking deficits and his partner was not available to drive that day,” said Mr Jenkins.

“There was no inherent emergency that day (for the ill family member), no need for a doctor.”

The court heard that Burman, who is a selfemployed bricklayer, currently relies on his partner to drive him to and from work while he is disqualified from driving.

After listening to the probation report from Mr Jenkins, magistrates then sentenced Burman.

Burman was banned from driving for three months and given a curfew of three months.

He must also remain indoors at home between the hours of 9pm and 7pm daily.

Burman, of Coed y Bryn, Llandysul, must also pay £85 court costs and £90 victim surcharge.