A FORMER Russian gymnast is banned from the roads for a year today and £400 poorer after admitting driving while disqualified.South East Suffolk Magistrates Court heard that Irina Cotton, 47, who was living in St Catherine's Court, Ipswich, at the time of the offence but is believed to have since moved to Basildon, was banned from driving for 12 months on February 7 this year.
A FORMER Russian gymnast is banned from the roads for a year today and £400 poorer after admitting driving while disqualified.
South East Suffolk Magistrates Court heard that Irina Cotton, 47, who was living in St Catherine's Court, Ipswich, at the time of the offence but is believed to have since moved to Basildon, was banned from driving for 12 months on February 7 this year.
The ban came as a result of a drink-drive conviction.
The court heard that Cotton, a former Russian gymnast who works as a trainer at the South Essex Gymnastic Club, took to the road illegally in her Peugeot 206 CC on March 2.
Cotton is the current UK Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation Champion in the women's fitness category.
Appearing at court she pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.
Claire Hullock, mitigating, said Cotton was taking the car to a friend's house in an attempt to sell it.
She said: “She was taking the car to the house of someone she knows through work.
“She has had difficulty selling the car and agreed for a friend to sell it on her behalf in exchange for some of the profit.
“She appreciates it was a silly thing to do.
“She just wanted to sell the car and get it out of the way.”
District Judge David Cooper disqualified Cotton from driving for 12 months.
He fined her £200 for driving while disqualified and £200 for driving without insurance.
She was ordered to pay costs of £55.
Judge Cooper said: “This was very foolish and I am surprised at you.”
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