Sunderland rogue driver is jailed for his 'blatant disregard' of drink-driving ban

Repeat offender Stephen Prest, 48 of Washington Road, Hylton Castle, Sunderland, drove a Ford Focus in Trimdon Street, Sunderland, on Saturday, February 15, while disqualified and without insurance or licence.

It came just weeks after his release from an eight-week prison term for the second drink-drive offence.

Jailing him for 14 weeks, Judge Sarah Griffiths said: “You were caught driving with excess alcohol in October. You were given a community order and disqualified.

“Within days of that you went out and drove on December 7. You were over the legal limit and you were driving while disqualified.

“You learnt absolutely nothing. You drove because your wife was in no fit state to drive, but you were over the limit.

“You put members of the public at risk by your foolish and thoughtless driving.

“You took the risk, no doubt, that you wouldn’t get caught. You were sent to prison for eight weeks.

“You were released from prison and in a matter of weeks were driving again.

“You have a blatant disregard for the orders of the court. You drove repeatedly since this disqualification was made.”

She added: “You are prepared to take a chance with innocent members of the public by getting behind the wheel of a car while you’ve been disqualified from driving.

Prosecutor Ben Woodward had earlier told South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court: “The defendant was pulled over while driving in Sunderland.

“Police found there was no licence, no insurance and that he was banned.

“He had been jailed for eight weeks and released from prison, and he commits this offence.”

Annalisa Moscardini, defending Prest, who admitted driving while banned, driving without a licence and without insurance, said: “When he drove, he was out with his wife and she was too drunk to drive and he decided to drive. He was endeavouring to assist her.

“It was a relationship that clearly wasn’t working.

“On this last occasion, he made the stupid decision to drive because it wasn’t easy to find public transport.”

Prest was handed a 36-month driving ban, with an extra seven weeks to cover his likely time in prison, and must pay a £122 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

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