Teen fined for driving while disqualified

Mar 18 2010 West Lothian Courier

A WEST LOTHIAN teenager who was caught driving a quad bike on a Blackburn road while disqualified has been ordered to do community service.

Dale Johnstone was seen driving on Riddochhill Drive in the afternoon of January 13 this year, a local court was told this week.

When police officers arrived at the 19-year-old’s home the engine of his red Suzuki was still running.

Johnstone was standing nearby and when a police check was carried out it was revealed he was disqualified.

Last week at Livingston Sheriff Court, Johnstone, whose address was given as Riddochhill Drive, Blackburn, pled guilty to driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

His solicitor, Iain Smith, asked the sheriff court to deal with his client by means of a non-custodial sentence.

The defence agent said that Johnstone had only driven the bike for a short distance on the road.

“It was normally kept off-road but on this occasion he accepts he drove it along the street,” Mr Smith said.

“He does regret his actions and realises how serious driving while disqualified is and that this is also his second offence of that nature.”

Handing Johnstone 100 hours of community service, fining him £335 and banning him for three years Sheriff Martin Edington said:

“This is your second driving while disqualified offence in a relatively short period of time.

“When someone behaves like that they have to realise that they are looking at a custodial sentence.

“However, I am prepared to give you a final chance to learn how not to offend again because if you appear in this sheriff court on a third driving while disqualified offence you may very well lose your liberty as a result.

“You will be in very serious trouble indeed if you breach any of this conditions in the future.”