Banned Middleton driver took over when partner became ill

A banned West Norfolk motorist who took over the driving when his partner became poorly has had his disqualification extended by a court this week.

Magistrates told Jake Bell he was "two fingering" the courts after he admitted driving while disqualified during a hearing in Lynn yesterday.

The court was told that police who spotted the Citroen C4 on Lynn Road, Downham, noted that it was insured to a female.

The car stopped at a nearby Shell garage and Bell confirmed to officers that he was banned.

Prosecutor Stacey Cossey told the court that Bell, 28, of Walter Howes Crescent, Middleton, had been disqualified for 12 months on March 6 this year for an offence of drink-driving.

On Monday, Bell pleaded guilty to charges of driving while disqualified and having no insurance.

Mitigating solicitor Tim Bartlam told the bench groundworker Bell had been to work in Cambridge on the day of the incident.

His partner had driven from their home in Middleton to Downham to pick him up from the railway station where she became ill.

“When she got there, she has a woman’s problem. She was in pain,” said Mr Bartlam.

“Seeing that, he decided to take over driving. It was an extremely stupid thing to do.

“His partner confirms that he took over driving in circumstances that she was in extreme pain.”

Chairman of the magistrates’ bench, John Hare, told Bell that when he was banned in March he would have been told that if he were to drive while disqualified, a prison term would be one of the options available to the bench.

He added: “What you are essentially saying is ‘I’ve heard what you’ve said but I’m above the law’.

"You are two fingering the law courts.”

Bell was banned from driving for 12 months and given a 12-month community order, including 100 hours’ unpaid work.

For having no insurance, there was no separate penalty but his licence will be endorsed.

He was also ordered to pay £85 costs, plus an £85 victim surcharge.