A Kirkby van driver with no licence avoided jail despite driving on the wrong side of the road into oncoming traffic during a high speed journey to work.
Self employed joiner Daniel Devine, 29, was spotted by a CCTV operator on his way to a job on June 23 this year.
The dad-of-two, of Stokesley Avenue, Kirkby , was sentenced to eight weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court today after earlier pleading guilty to dangerous driving.
Lynn Clark, prosecuting, told the court a Citroen Belingo van caught the attention of a CCTV operator while driving along County Road towards the city centre, at around 10.10am.
Ms Clark said: “The defendant was travelling at high speed and overtaking other road users on numerous occasions. He was seen driving on the wrong side of the road into oncoming traffic at high speed.”
The court heard Devine was tracked along Scotland Road and headed through the Birkenhead tunnel where police patrol cars caught up with him at the other side.
A check revealed Devine had been disqualified from driving in 2010, although he claimed in court he believed he had a full driving licence.
Ms Clark told the court: “In his interview he said he was stressed due to having no money and was trying to be a man with a van, and was helping a mate out.”
Devine, who represented himself, told the court he apologised for the offence.
He said: “Since being banned my business has gone and my house will probably go in about six months.”
He told the court he believed he had a full driving licence at the time of the offence.
The bench ordered Devine to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and to pay prosecution costs of £85, a victim surcharge of £80 and a £180 criminal court charge.
He was also banned from the roads for 12 months.
Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/