"I panicked" - Offshore worker from South Tyneside gave false details to cops when caught driving while banned
“They checked the left hand door of the vehicle and located a small bag of white powder which was confirmed as being cocaine.”
An offshore worker tried to hoodwink police by giving them false details when caught at the wheel while banned from driving in South Tyneside, a court heard.
Craig Stevenson, 38, of St Vincent Street, South Shields, panicked and told them he was ‘Mr Bowyer’ and gave a date of birth that matched that name.
But he came unstuck when officers checked his photo with their database at the roadside at 12.30am on Wednesday, May 27.
It proved he was not who he claimed to be and matters got worse when a search of his BMW revealed a small bag of cocaine, prosecutor Leah Plews said.
Even his solicitor described Stevenson to borough magistrates as being both “foolish” and “stupid” to drive while disqualified.
Ms Plews said: “Officers became aware of a white BMW, which they followed. Checks showed no insurance, and so they caused the vehicle to stop.
“The driver identified himself as ‘Mr Bowyer’ with his date of birth. It showed in the system that the insurance period had expired.
“They also checked his details, and it showed that the photo of the male didn’t match the defendant. He was arrested.
“They checked the left hand door of the vehicle and located a small bag of white powder which was confirmed as being cocaine.
“He was taken into custody and arrested for the offences and identified as being Mr Stevenson.”
Stevenson pleaded guilty to obstructing police, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance and possession of a prohibited drug.
He has 13 previous convictions from 26 offences, including for driving while disqualified in 2015, 2016 and 2024, and was last before a court in May last year.
Joanne Gatens, defending, said: “He made the foolish decision to drive. He was driving a short distance.
“He acknowledges that when police stopped him, he was driving while disqualified – he panicked and gave false details. The offence is aggravated by his record.
“He has recently found himself some employment. He has previously worked offshore and has started doing that again.
“He accepts that he was very stupid to get behind the wheel.”
Magistrates adjourned for reports and Stevenson will be sentenced at the same court on Wednesday, November 11.