Disqualified driver with history of dangerous road crimes caught offending in Swaffham

A man with a history of dangerous driving got behind the wheel illegally - as he thought a provisional licence entitled him to do so.

Raphael Avin, 53, was caught driving on Swaffham’s Market Place on April 20 last year.

He has a history of traffic offences, and previously served jail time in 2019.

Most recently, he was handed a two-year disqualification for dangerous driving. Upon its completion, he was sent a provisional licence to allow him to complete an extended retest.

However, having driven while disqualified, he wound up at Lynn Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, where he pleaded guilty to the offence - as well as driving without insurance.

Mitigating, duty solicitor George Sorrell said: “The defendant never received any communication with regard to this matter, and as a result acted in ignorance that he might resume his driving.

“He has otherwise tried to take the steps to drive lawfully at last. It seems to me that, apart from driving offences, he is a good citizen.”

Magistrates handed Avin, of Holyhead Road in Coventry, six penalty points.

He will pay a £200 fine, £80 victim surcharge and £85 in court costs.