A Pembroke Dock man with a number of motoring offences on record has been sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment after admitting driving while disqualified.
Forty-four-year-old David Turnbull pleaded guilty to charges of driving while disqualified; taking a motor vehicle without consent, and using a vehicle without third party insurance when he appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Prosecutor Ellie Morgan told the court that police officers pulled the defendant over at around 10.30 am on February 12 at Sentry Cross, Milford Haven, because the vehicle he was driving, his wife’s Vauxhall Agila, had a defective brake light.
When spoken to, Mr. Turnbull told the officers that he was disqualified from driving, and also that his wife was unaware that he had taken her car.
Magistrates heard how the defendant had been handed a three-year disqualification back in May, after admitting a drink-driving charge.
He also had a series of driving while disqualified offences on his record, the court heard.
After his arrest, the defendant told officers when interviewed that he had decided to go and purchase some new alloy wheels for his wife’s car, as he wanted to do something special for her, as they had recently got their relationship back on track after experiencing some marriage difficulties.
Defence solicitor Mark Layton told the court that his client had made a rash and foolish decision, and was genuinely remorseful for his actions.
Mr. Turnbull was given a 12-week prison sentence by magistrates, with a further 18 months added to his driving disqualification, meaning that he would be banned from getting behind the wheel of a vehicle for 44 months.
He was also ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £115 victim surcharge.