Disqualified driver jailed
PORTUGESE national Paul Quinito is behind bars today after being caught for the fourth time driving while disqualified.Banned driver Quinito was jailed for 24 weeks after using his £1,000 Vauxhall Cavalier on a short journey to get medicine for his sick child, South East Suffolk Magistrates' were told.
By Amanda Cresswell
PORTUGESE national Paul Quinito is behind bars today after being caught for the fourth time driving while disqualified.
Banned driver Quinito was jailed for 24 weeks after using his £1,000 Vauxhall Cavalier on a short journey to get medicine for his sick child, South East Suffolk Magistrates' were told.
Ian Pells, prosecuting, said the 23-year-old had driven to Tower Street where a traffic warden spoke to him about parking there. Quinito was spotted by police and was about to drive off when he was arrested.
"It is the fourth time he has driven whilst disqualified," said Pells.
Quinito, of Chevallier Street, Ipswich, also admitted to not insuring his vehicle or having a valid MoT certificate.
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Neil Saunders, mitigating, said Quinito's child was ill and his girlfriend was at work. A friend came round and looked after the child while Quinito went out to get medicine.
"Quinito had to be quick because his friend was only staying for a short time," said Saunders.
"It all went pear-shaped as you can imagine because Quinito was arrested and didn't make it home. He was taken to the police station, was interviewed and was brought to court the following day."
He added as a result Quinito's girlfriend is going back to Portugal and taking the child with her. "It would be difficult for him to persuade her to give him another chance," he said.
He urged magistrates not to put a deprivation order on the car so he could sell it and go back to Portugal "to build bridges with his girlfriend."
However in addition to his jail term Quinito was banned from driving for two years and a deprivation order was put on the car.
