A BANNED driver caught behind the wheel on the A66 claimed he had a provisional driving licence.

Jamie Hackworth, 31, drove a Suzuki vehicle on the road at Redhills, Penrith, on August 12 last year, after he had been disqualified from driving in May 2021.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting at Workington Magistrates’ Court, said the defendant was stopped by police and admitted having no insurance but said he had a provisional driving licence.

However, checks showed he was disqualified from driving, which he accepted.

Hackworth, of Church Road, Harrington, Workington, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and using a motor vehicle on a road without insurance.

John Cooper, defending, said: “It was his partner’s car. He was dealt with by police at the roadside. Police were quite lenient with him, letting him go, without charging him.

“Two days later, it was reported to probation. He was recalled on licence.

“There was nothing about the manner of driving. He was stopped because he wasn’t a girl. The car was registered to a female driver. It’s not early on into the disqualification.”

Magistrates banned Hackworth from driving for six months and imposed a six-week curfew to run daily from 8pm until 6am.

The defendant was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.