Sunderland motorist banned after allowing daughter to drive without L plates
A dad who gave the green light to his teenage daughter to drive his car without L plates and while uninsured has been banned from the roads.
Christopher Edwards, 39, admitted to a court he had blundered in allowing Olivia Edwards, 18, to get behind the wheel and the mistake was all his.
Magistrates in South Tyneside described his decision as “catastrophic” and disqualified Edwards, of Glencoe Square, Grindon, for six months.
The former team leader insisted the youngster had driven his Audi just a short distance “around the corner” in Penshaw on March 7.
Glenda Beck, prosecuting, added: “Police were in an unmarked car when their attention was drawn to an Audi A5 being driven in Coxgreen Square.
“The vehicle stopped in Langdale Road after it stalled and at the scene police noticed that Ms Edwards was driving and Mr Edwards was in the front seat.
“The car is registered to him. She only had a provisional licence. The vehicle was not displaying L plates and she was not named on the insurance.
“The officers have dash cam of the vehicle being driven by Ms Edwards. His last conviction was in 2019. She has no convictions.”
Unemployed Edwards pleaded guilty to a charge of aiding or abetting the driving of a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence.
He also admitted aiding or abetting the driving of a motor vehicle without insurance.
Ms Edwards, of Langdale Road, Penshaw, pleaded guilty to charges of driving without a licence and driving without insurance.
Both represented themselves in court and Ms Edwards did not wish to comment in mitigation.
When asked by magistrates about the offences, her dad said “it’s all my fault”, adding: “She should never have been driving the car, I shouldn’t have given her a go.”
Magistrates fined father and daughter £120 each, and both must pay £85 court costs and a £48 victim surcharge.
Ms Edwards was handed six penalty points
Her dad was also given six penalty points, adding to the nine he already has and leading to his ban.
John Lee, the chair of the bench, told him: “The decision you took that day, you know it was a bad decision.
“I’m afraid this morning it’s going to turn into a catastrophic decision for both of you.”