A MAN who was banned from driving nine years ago was caught behind the wheel of a car – and told police he had just bought it so he could learn to drive again.
Mark Bain was stopped on Newcastle Road, South Shields, because the vehicle had a faulty light.
The 25-year-old told the officers that he had just bought the car in Durham and was on his way home.
When asked for his licence, he said he didn’t have a full licence but did have a provisional.
However there were no ‘L’ plates on the car and there was no one else with him and he was arrested.
Bain, of Turner Avenue, Whiteleas, South Shields, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.
Glenda Beck, prosecuting, said: “He was disqualified on October 13, 2004.
“The terms of the disqualification were that he would remain banned from driving until he passed another test.
“At 1am on September 28 he was stopped while driving a Vauxhall Astra, which he said he had just bought. He said he didn’t have a licence.”
The court heard that Bain was previously convicted of driving while disqualified twice in 2005.
Paul Kennedy, defending, said: “He went to pick up the car, which he shouldn’t have.
“He was trying to legitimately pass his driving test and was going to use the car to learn. It was a genuine mistake and he didn’t intend to drive while banned.
“He wants to work and the reason he is trying to pass his test again is so it opens up more job opportunities.”
Magistrates banned Bain from driving for another six months and fined him £110.
He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.