Town striker banned from driving

IPSWICH Town striker Danny Haynes has today been banned from the road for eight months and fined £1,455 after admitting two charges of driving without a licence.

At South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court in Ipswich today Haynes, 20, pleaded guilty to two counts of driving without a licence last year.

Magistrates warned him not to let it happen again as he was disqualified from driving for eight months and given a £1,455 fine.

Prosecuting Lesla Small told the court that Haynes was stopped by police as he drove along Wykes Bishop Street, off Duke Street, Ipswich, in a black Mercedes 200 on October 30 last year. When he failed to produce a valid licence, it transpired that it had been revoked by the DVLA for getting six penalty points as a new driver.

On November 8, he was again spotted behind the wheel without a valid licence in Tacket Street, Ipswich.

Ms Small told the court that the police were not able to stop him so followed him to Tacket Street car park. On arrival, the car was empty but they managed to catch up with Haynes, who was with his girlfriend, round the corner.

The court heard how Haynes had previously got six points on his licence for speeding and failing to stop at a traffic signal and speeding, causing his licence to be revoked.

Mitigating on his behalf, Neil Saunders, said: “He has learnt a bit of a hard lesson. He is not silly but on occasions, things run away with him but they will not anymore.

“He cannot pay any fine today because his mother keeps all his money. It is kept in the family but he will be able to pay it in the next seven days.

“He will not be doing this again. The car is now with his girlfriend's father.

“I urge you to be lenient with him as it will give him an opportunity to apply for his licence. He has considerable support as you can imagine. You will not be seeing him again for reasons which are only too obvious.”

Magistrates told him: “You could have applied for a provisional licence or had L-plates. We are not taking the matter lightly.

“Mr Saunders has assured us you have lots of support so make sure you do not do this again.”

Haynes was given three points and a £500 fine with £45 costs and a £15 victim surcharge for the first offence. He was given six points and a £850 fine for the second offence, as well as £45 costs. The number of points meant he was disqualified from driving and must reapply for a provisional licence once the eight month period is up.

The striker-cum-winger scored Town's only goal in their away match against Crystal Palace yesterday.

In October last year, he signed a contract, which will keep him with the Blues until 2010.