Banned driver who drove home from court sentenced

A motorist who drove home from court immediately after being banned from getting behind the wheel has been sentenced again.

Matthew Testa, 51, was disqualified for six months during a hearing at Harrogate Magistrates' Court on 18 December, but despite being warned the ban was effective immediately, he got in his Porsche and started driving home.

Just over half an hour later, officers stopped Testa, from Whalley, in Lancashire, on the A59 near Skipton and he was charged with driving while disqualified and driving without insurance or MOT.

At Sheffield Magistrates' Court on Friday, he pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to 10 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months.

He was also fined £1,254 and disqualified from driving for 58 weeks.

After the sentencing, North Yorkshire Police prosecutor Catherine Coady said: "Testa knew he had been disqualified from driving, but within minutes he was back behind the wheel.

"He showed a total disregard for the court, and as a direct result of his actions he now faces a far longer driving ban."

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