Unlucky 15th for Ipswich man

DRIVING while disqualified for a staggering 15th time has landed Ipswich man Matthew Page behind bars.

The 25-year-old's latest offence happened at around 3.15pm on January 29 when he was found behind the wheel of an E-reg Ford Orion car on the A137 interchange at Wherstead.

Page, of Old Foundry Road, committed the offence despite being fully aware of the fact that he is banned from driving until May 2004 for previous offences.

South East Suffolk Magistrates' court heard Page was caught breaking the law shortly after being seen crossing the A14 dual carriageway on foot by a police officer patrolling the area.

The officer, who recognised Page and identified him as a disqualified driver, observed him walking towards the Ford Orion car, which was parked in a lay-by on the Stowmarket-bound A14.

Around 15 minutes later, the officer spotted the car being driven by Page and stopped the vehicle. Page was arrested and made a full admission about the offence at Ipswich police station and also admitted to driving without any insurance.

Defending Naomi Turner, said the car had been left in the lay-by by a friend of Page.

"Rather foolishly he decided it shouldn't be in the lay-by so he took the decision to move it to a safer place," she said.

"Mr Page fully accepts he is disqualified and shouldn't have done it. He also accepts that his record is appalling and that he has had prison sentences in the past for this offence."

Chairman of the Bench Martin Smith said the bench had taken into consideration the fact that he had committed 14 previous offences of driving while disqualified in passing their judgement.

He sentenced Page, who had been in police custody since January 31, to 24 weeks in prison and also gave him eight penalty points for driving without insurance.

Under the totting procedure, Page will now be banned from driving for a further two years.