A BANNED driver landed himself in court when police officers spotted him behind the wheel without a seatbelt on.
Marcin Dabrowski, who is originally from Poland, was caught by police driving a red Vauxhall Vectra in Cornwall Street, Hartlepool.
It later emerged that he had been disqualified for 16 months on March 31 after being convicted of a drink-driving o
ffence.
A court heard Dabrowski, who has been in England for nine months, was spotted by police officers on May 3. They became suspicious because they thought he was not wearing a seatbelt.
Nick Smith, prosecuting, said: "It was around 5.50pm when officers spotted the defendant driving along Shrewsbury Street.
"They became suspicious that he was not wearing a seatbelt and they followed him to Cornwall Street where he was stopped and questioned.
"He told police he was the new owner of the car and admitted that he had been disqualified."
Dabrowski, 26, pleaded guilty to charges of driving while disqualified, and driving without insurance.
Paul Wilson, mitigating, said: "He has no issue with the facts and he fully co-operated with the police.
"He is originally from Poland but has been in England for nine months trying to make a living."
Dabrowski, of Brooke Street, Hartlepool, was given a 12-month community order and 80 hours unpaid work.
He also had his licence endorsed with six points.
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