Lee Westhorpe caught driving while disqualified outside White Hart pub in Ashill

A disqualified driver was caught behind the wheel of a “distinguishable” vehicle while going through an “extremely stressful” period in his life.

Lee Westhorpe, 39, appeared at Lynn Magistrates’ Court on Thursday charged with driving while disqualified.

He pleaded guilty to the offence, which he committed on June 6 this year in Ashill.

At around 12.45pm on that date, Westhorpe was spotted outside The White Hart pub. CCTV footage was later used to confirm that he was driving a Ford Transit van in the vicinity.

Crown prosecutor Holly Postle told the court that the defendant had been banned from driving earlier this year for an offence he committed in January.

Magistrates, led by Ginny Hutton, opted to disqualify Westhorpe for a further 35 months for his latest offence. He was also fined £200, and will pay £105 in legal costs and an £80 victim surcharge.

Mitigating, Tiffany Meredith said that Westhorpe, of Anson Way in Carbrooke, near Thetford, was helping a friend on June 6.

“He was just driving a relatively short distance – probably about a ten-minute drive,” the solicitor said.

“I think it is a demonstration of his thought process at the time. He didn’t really address what he was doing.

“I can happily report, your worships, that Mr Westhorpe is in a much better place. He says that this case has caused him some anxiety, but he is currently on a more even playing field than he was previously.”

Ms Meredith also said that Westhorpe was going through an “extremely stressful” time when he drove while disqualified. This was brought about by a “period of stabilisation” due to him taking new medication.

She said this was highlighted by the fact the defendant drove a “distinguishable” vehicle, showing he was not focusing on “how it might look to members of the public”.