Uninsured driver gets second chance

A relieved motorist was saved from losing his licence and his job despite being caught driving without insurance.
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Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard on Monday, April 14, how Carl Johnson, 29, of Fir Place, Killamarsh, was approached by police on the A619 road at Mastin Moor who discovered his Suzuki Vitara had no insurance cover.

Ian Shaw, prosecuting, said: “A police officer found there was no insurance held against the vehicle. Johnson said he thought he was covered on a trader’s policy.”

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Johnson pleaded guilty to using a vehicle without insurance after he was approached on Christmas Eve.

Defence solicitor Simon Gwynne said Johnson had bought the car from a company he had been working for but when it ceased trading just before Christmas he had not realised that the company’s insurance had also ceased.

Mr Gwynne said: “He accepts he was not sure what the situation was at that time and had overlooked that the cessation of the business meant business insurance no longer covered the vehicle’s use.”

Johnson’s existing points on his licence rendered him liable to a totting-up disqualification.

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Mr Gwynne added: “He now works as a mobile, trainee, car body technician and operates between two dealers and needs to drive a van with kit for body work repairs. Any disqualification will mean his employment will be ended.”

Mr Gwynne also argued Johnson needs a vehicle to help monitor his poorly grandfather.

District Judge Andrew Davison accepted Johnson would face exceptional hardship if he lost his licence which justified him not imposing a disqualification.

Johnson was sentenced to a £250 fine and was ordered to pay a £25 victim surcharge and £35 costs. His licence was endorsed with six points.

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