Court / Four month ban for twice driving with no insurance

A MAN from Lerwick has been disqualified from driving for four months after twice getting behind the wheel with no insurance.

Wayne Hunter, 32, of Burnside, was also given fines totalling £380 when he appeared at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

The offences took place on the A970 in Cunningsburgh on 2 June 2020 and at Burnside in Lerwick on 4 January this year.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said Hunter’s insurance ran out a couple of days before the first incident, and that it had been “cancelled due to a mispayment from him” – with the expectation that there would have been a grace period.

The court heard that in the January offence Hunter had tried to transfer the vehicle to an existing insurance policy but he did not realise the online process had not been finalised. It was rectified after it came to light.

Allan conceded that his client could be disqualified due to past offences, but he encouraged Sheriff Cruickshank to minimise any potential ban.

In addition to the discretionary ban and fines, Sheriff Ian Cruickshank also imposed six penalty points.

A SEVENTY nine year old woman from Lerwick who was found to be driving with no valid licence, insurance or MOT was given £300 and six penalty points.

Lerwick Sheriff Court heard on Wednesday that Kathleen Robertson’s licence had expired in 2012, but procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said he believed she thought she still had a full licence.

Robertson, of Thorfinn Street, admitted carrying out the offences on the A970 between Quarff and Black Gaet junction on 3 January. They came to light in police checks.