Driver who was travelling on A47 in Swaffham with heavily tinted windows didn’t realise he was disqualified

A driver whose car windows were tinted too dark - which is an offence - said he was unaware that he was disqualified from driving.

Wesley Knowles, 43, appeared at Lynn Magistrates’ Court on Thursday where he admitted a total of three offences.

Knowles was previously disqualified from driving at Northhampton Magistrates’ Court, with a hearing taking place in his absence.

He pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without any insurance, as well as using the Mini on the road when there was insufficient transmission of light through the vehicle glass.

Prosecutor Stephen Munton told the court that police were on patrol on the A47 in Swaffham on April 17 when they spotted a Mini with heavily tinted windows.

Officers stopped the car and questioned Knowles about the windows, which only allowed 31% of light transmission into the vehicle.

Vehicle windows must show 70% transmission to be road-legal.

Officers made further checks which revealed that Knowles was disqualified from driving until June 4 of this year for not having insurance.

In mitigation, Alison Muir explained that during the past year, Knowles had been seriously unwell and had to stop working.

She explained that he couldn’t afford to pay for the car insurance.

“The last 12 months have been horrendous for him,” said Ms Muir.

“He has a wife and three beautiful children, he supported the family by paying rent. They are now living with his brother.

“He has been having hospital treatments and has not been in the position to work. Direct debits were not always coming out. The family’s priority has been his health.”

Ms Muir explained that Knowles had bought the Mini with the windows already tinted.

“He didn’t know it was illegal, he bought it like that,” the solicitor added.

A total of six penalty points were added to Knowles’ licence.

Knowles, of Parkhall Road, Somersham in Huntingdon, was also fined £400 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £160 and court costs of £85.