Sunderland man jailed for driving while banned

Callum Cuthbert was sentenced to eight weeks in prison after admitting driving whilst disqualified and without insurance.

South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard that Cuthbert, 23, of Cossack Terrace, already had three previous convictions for driving whilst disqualified.

Glenda Beck, prosecuting, said police officers were on patrol at 5.45am on September 25 when they saw the defendant driving a Seat Ibiza on Toll Bar Road with two passengers in the car.

She said in November last year he had been banned from driving for three years.

Ms Beck said: “Officers caused the vehicle to stop and Mr Cuthbert confirmed immediately that he was a disqualified driver and had no insurance.”

Jason Smith, defending, said: “The reality of the situation as far as Callum is concerned is he is before the court once again for driving and having no reasonable reason for doing so.”

Mr Smith said his client had been engaging well with probation services but had been set back in September when his grandfather died.

He said: “He was very, very close to his grandfather, he lived with him for a large part of his life. His depression took hold and he went in a downward spiral.”

Mr Smith said Cuthbert started taking drugs and alcohol.

He said: “That morning his friends said ‘give us a lift home’. He thought at that time of the morning no-one was going to bother.

“He fully admitted it as soon as police approached the car window.”

Mr Smith said the car was impounded and Cuthbert and his friends all had to walk home.

He said: “The reality of the situation is that probation services are engaged with him. He is doing everything they ask him to do. Taking him off the streets is going to do absolutely nothing.

“He has come today prepared, ready and acknowledges the likelihood is he is going to go to prison.”

Cuthbert was jailed for eight weeks and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £122 surcharge. He was banned from driving for three years.