A BANNED driver was caught out after police stopped his car at Castle Way in Carlisle.

Sergiu Buturca, now aged 26, had appeared at the city’s magistrates’ court in early August last year in connection with motoring matters.

For those, Buturca received a punishment which included a six-month driving disqualification. As a consequence, he was also barred from holding or obtaining a vehicle insurance policy.

Buturca, of Chiswick Street, Carlisle, was just days away from completing that ban when he was caught behind the wheel of a Volkswagen Golf as he drove along Castle Way in January 29.

“A PC was on mobile patrol and his attention was drawn to the defendant’s vehicle,” said prosecutor Chloe Booth as she outlined the case at Carlisle magistrates’ court on Friday.

“He has illuminated his blue lights and asked the vehicle to stop. He had cause to ask to see Mr Buturca’s driving licence.

“He replies that he has a Romanian licence but it was at his home address.”

Assisted in court by a Romanian interpreter, Buturca pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and having no third party insurance.

“I wasn’t aware I was disqualified,” he said in respect of the first offence.

“I have driven without insurance but I wasn’t aware that my insurance wasn’t a valid one,” he added of the second.

Magistrates fined Buturca £390, ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £39 mandatory surcharge, and imposed six penalty points on his driving licence.