Horncastle HGV driver unaware he was banned from the roads until he was stopped by police

An HGV driver didn’t realise he had been banned from the roads until he was stopped by police.

Daniel Ashfield was heading home from work when officers pulled over his Mercedes C200 on Boston Road, Horncastle earlier this year.

He was unaware of his driving ban because his licence had the incorrect house number and paperwork had not been sent to his home, a court was told.

Police spotted Ashfield, who they knew to be a disqualified driver, heading towards his Horncastle home at 8.38pm on July 29, prosecutor Marie Stace told Boston Magistrates’ Court.

“Officers activated the emergency function to stop the car,” Ms Stace said.

“He (Ashfield) said he didn’t know he was disqualified.”

In police interview the 45-year-old said he was ‘not in a good headspace’ due to issues with his family life.

Ashfield pleaded guilty to driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance on Wednesday (October 15).

Defending Ashfield, Phillipa Chatterton said her client was unaware of his ban as his ‘paperwork had been sent to the incorrect address’.

“He believed his vehicle was correctly insured but this was invalidated by his disqualification,” Miss Chatterton added.

“He is an HGV driver but is currently unable to work since July and has been relying on friends and family to help him out.

“There is an error here, but he has to admit the error is his fault.”

District Judge Daniel Church handed Ashfield, of Madely Close, a 56-day driving ban, which will run concurrently with his disqualification which comes to an end on December 26.

He was also fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 victim surcharge.