Rogue driver from South Shields jailed after taking his dad's car for second time this year

A man who took his father's car for a ride whilst already banned from driving has been put behind bars.
Matthew OrdMatthew Ord
Matthew Ord

Matthew Ord paid a visit to his dad's house on June 23 this year and once he had left it was noticed the car keys from the windowsill were missing.

It is the second time Ord has taken his dad’s car and he was already serving a suspended sentence at the time after being convicted of dangerous driving, failing to provide a specimen of breath, driving without insurance and aggravated driving in February.

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The Peugeot car flipped after the crash in February,The Peugeot car flipped after the crash in February,
The Peugeot car flipped after the crash in February,

When the latest case was heard at Newcastle Crown Court, Judge Christopher Prince sentenced Ord to six months in prison and told him: "You chose to offend again - you chose to get into a vehicle whilst in breach of a suspended sentence."

Prosecutor Michael Bunch told the court that after Ord had taken the car police were alerted and went to his address where they found some cannabis, before being hearing the loud noise of a vehicle outside.

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"A vehicle then entered the street and the noise drew their attention to it, and they then saw the defendant get out of the vehicle.

"They knew the defendant was disqualified and were somewhat surprised to see him driving.

"As officers approached him he headed to a nearby address and looked to place something inside."

The officers then found the key inside that property belonged to his 89-year-old father's car.

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Mr Bunch added: "Officers escorted him out off the address and he confirmed the cannabis was his, to the value of roughly £100."

The court heard that Ord has since admitted that driving his father's car whilst already disqualified and without insurance was the 'stupidest thing he has ever done and was an idiot for doing it.'

The 29-year-old admitted to driving whilst disqualified, driving without insurance, taking a vehicle without owner's consent, possession of cannabis and breach of a suspended sentence.

In a statement read out on behalf of Ord by Fiona Lamb, mitigating, he said: "I have had a lot of time alone to reflect and I am needed for my family.

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"I know I have done wrong in the past but have not had the help needed – this month has been a blessing in disguise."

Ms Lamb, who suggested the suspended sentence was not activated, said that Ord had learned from his mistakes.

"He is very remorseful mainly because of his father who is very ill and the defendant has been a carer for him

"He is supported and loved by his family and there are offers of employment available," he said.

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However, Judge Prince felt like it was not unjust to activate the suspended sentence, and jailed him for six months.

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