Drink driver found to have fake number plates on his car when stopped in South Shields by police

Leslie Lovelock’s ruse was uncovered when police pulled him over in his Peugeot in Masefield Drive, South Shields, in the early hours of Sunday, June 7.

Lovelock, 28, of Toner Avenue, Hebburn, was breathalysed and found to be over the limit, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court was told.

Police station checks then revealed the 2006-registration motor had false plates attached – even though it was owned by the defendant.

The court heard he gave a breath test reading of 57 microgrammes in 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit is 35.

He has now been banned from the roads for 16 months and hit with fines and court costs of £359 for what magistrates called an “act of madness”.

Prosecutor Grace Taylor said: “At about 3.25am officers stopped the defendant in his vehicle. Upon speaking to him it was apparent that he was intoxicated.

“He said that the car belonged to a friend and that he was covered by that insurance policy. The officers did a check of the insurance, but it did not cover him.

“A roadside breath test was positive and two CAMIC tests were carried out at a police station. The lowest reading was 57 microgrammes.”

Ms Taylor said further checks revealed the car was being driven on false plates.

She told the court they also showed the car belonged to Lovelock but there was no valid insurance policy attached.

And Ms Taylor added: “The defendant gave false details by displaying false number plates.”

Lovelock, who represented himself in court, pleaded guilty to drink-driving and to driving without insurance.

Asked if he would like to explain why he drove without insurance, he said only “no.”

And when quizzed as to why he had driven when while over the limit, Lovelock said: “I didn’t think I was over.”

Alastair Robson, chairman of the magistrates' bench, told him: “This act of madness hasn’t stood you very well. You knew what you were doing.”

Lovelock was fined £120 on each charge and must pay £85 court costs and a £34 victim surcharge.

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