Please note that articles may contain affilitate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Tuesday 18 June 2024

Cheeky: Essex Man Drove Home Moments After Being Disqualified

An Essex man drove home moments after being disqualified from driving.

Can Koroglu, 34, of Copthorn Green, Waltham Abbey, admitted an offence of driving whilst disqualified when he appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Friday, 14th June 2024.

Driving whilst disqualified is an offence under section 103 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. It has maximum penalty of 26 weeks' custody and/or a fine at level 5 (unlimited) on summary conviction.

Magistrates heard that the previous day the cheeky motorist was handed 6 penalty points, thereby incurring a 6 month totting disqualification, for driving without insurance.

No sooner had he set foot out of the court building, than he was behind the wheel of his car and setting off on the 24 mile journey home to Waltham Abbey.

Unfortunately for him, he had been spotted driving off from the court and the police were awaiting his arrival home.

Appearing in custody on the second occasion, Koroglu admitted driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance.

Magistrates were of the view that his offences were so serious - no doubt due to his flagrant disregard of orders of the court - that only a custodial sentence was appropriate. However, they elected to suspend the custodial term.

Koroglu was sentenced to 10 weeks' custody suspended for 12 months.

He was also ordered to pay £154 surcharge and £85 towards prosecution costs.

He was further disqualified from driving for a period of 18 months.

Adam Pipe, Head of Essex Roads Policing, said: "Unfortunately, this is quite a regular occurrence. Despite the fact that drivers facing a potential ban are clearly warned in advance that any ban takes immediate effect, many still attend the hearing having driven there. And some also take the chance of driving home.

"This case shows how Essex Police teams successfully work together to ensure road safety across the county."

Whenever the court imposes a disqualification the offender is told that they must not drive a motor vehicle on any road or other public place until the disqualification is over and they have their licence back in their possession.

They are told, in no uncertain terms, that their disqualification applies from the moment they set foot out of the courtroom.

Anyone who fails to heed that warning can expect consequences for their actions.

No comments: