Lee Walker avoids jail after driving while disqualified to retrieve van from partner. He received a stern warning.
The court hearing stopped for a report. He went to Swindon Magistrates’ Court on February 10. Officers saw Walker driving a Vauxhall Vivaro on the A345 on February 24, 2024.
They knew he was banned from driving. The officers caught him to stop him. Walker drove while disqualified before, in 2016, 2017, and 2019. He was guilty of drunk driving in 2023.
Walker represented himself in court. He said he builds houses for work and his van was under his company’s name. Walker’s business partner had van insurance which covered the ban period.
His partner put the van online for sale without asking Walker. The partner went to Malta for two weeks, leaving the vehicle at Walker’s home.
Walker decided to get the van and drove it back to his property. Officers saw him driving at that time. Walker said he wasn’t thinking straight and admitted it was a stupid thing to do.
The court called it an unusual situation and warned driving while banned is serious. The court said he is successful but reckless, making poor choices regarding the law.
The court did not fully believe him and questioned why he drove home. She said prison awaits him if he repeats it.
He received a community order and will do 100 days of unpaid work. Also, he got a six-month driving ban that runs with his current ban. Walker pays a £114 fee plus £85 costs and got no extra penalty for no insurance. He received a final warning from the judge.