Banned driver spared jail after getting behind the wheel to go on a shopping trip for his mum

Magistrates told Darren Roxby, 35, of The Poplars, Easington Lane, his offence crossed the custody threshold and jailed him for eight weeks.

But despite admitting his repeat driving offences were causing them “great concern”, they suspended the sentence for a year.

They heard the jobless former Nissan car plant worker drove the 2004-plate Honda Civic after his mother’s home shopping delivery failed to arrive.

He was seen by police in Hazard Lane, Hetton, during the return leg at 8.45pm on Thursday, May 28, and arrested.

Prosecutor Grace Taylor told South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court: “Officers were on duty when they noticed the defendant’s vehicle.

“They recognised it as being driven by the defendant and they were aware that he was a disqualified driver.

“They illuminated their lights for him to pull over which he did. When they spoke to him, he immediately admitted being banned and having no insurance.”

The court heard Roxby had been banned from the roads for 20 months on July 2, 2019, for drink-driving, leaving him unable to motor until March next year.

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Ms Taylor said Roxby had 15 previous convictions from 25 offences, including another driving while disqualified in 2003.

Paul McAlindon, defending, said: “A planned delivery hadn’t come through, and he had waited until it was later on.

“He would accept that his record isn’t brilliant. Clearly, driving while disqualified is an offence where someone can go to prison.

“He was subject to a 20-month disqualification and this offence happened around the half-way mark.”

Chair of the bench, Mohammed Ismail, said: “You’re continued offences have become a matter of great concern for the bench.”

Roxby pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and driving without insurance at a previous hearing.

For the driving ban offence, he was disqualified for a further 15 months, keeping him off the roads until January 21, 2022.

He was also ordered to undergo 20 days’ rehabilitation work with the Probation Service and must pay a £122 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

There was no separate penalty for driving without insurance.

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