Hartlepool disqualified driver David Owens sentenced after being caught behind the wheel

David Owens, 35, was handed a three-year driving disqualification by the courts in 2024.

But he came to police’s attention driving a Renault Traffic in the Raby Road area on on February 23.

As police were behind him Owens took a sharp turn before accelerating along Dent Street and onto York Road.

When the officers caught up to him in traffic he put the vehicle’s wheels in full right-hand lock and revved the engine, Teesside Magistrates’ Court heard.

Prosecutor Paul Doney said: “Inquiries revealed he was disqualified from driving.”

Owens, of Wharton Street, Hartlepool, admitted driving whilst disqualified, having no insurance and driving while not wearing a seatbelt.

He already had six points on his licence.

Andrew McGloin, mitigating, said Owens has learning difficulties and a report identified “disfunctional thinking”.

Magistrates imposed a 15-month community order and extended his driving ban by another 12 months.