A disqualified driver was branded the worst motoring offender an experienced magistrate had ever come across.
Anthony Newall was spotted driving a van while using his mobile phone and attempted to swap places with the passenger as police pulled him over.
Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court heard how the 36-year-old was jailed for 16 months at Newcastle Crown Court on the morning before appearing via a video link in the court.
Lesley Burgess, prosecuting, said: “Police saw him driving the vehicle and it was very clear that he was pressing the screen on his mobile phone.
“The said they saw the driver trying to swap places with the passenger after they had pulled him over.”
The court heard how the defendant had been driving along Dragon Lane, Durham, in a white Ford Transit van at the time of the offence.
Newall, of Sunderland Street, Houghton le Spring, pleaded guilty to driving whilst disqualified, using a mobile phone while driving and driving without insurance following his arrest on March 13 this year.
Sophie Allinson-Howell, mitigating, said her client was fully anticipating a further custodial sentence after accepting he had an "appalling driving record".
She added: “He was sentenced to 16-months at Newcastle Crown Court for dangerous driving and driving whilst disqualified. Those offences post-date the ones he is facing today.
“He has also been recalled on licence.”
Alan Adams, the chairman of the bench, lambasted the defendant as he locked him up for 20 weeks.
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He said: “I have been a magistrate for quite some time and I’m due to retire soon – this is the most appalling driving record I have ever seen in all of that time.
“You are a danger to other people on the road. If I had my way, you would never be allowed on the road again.
“I completely reject your apology, it means nothing with your record of offending.”
Newall was also ordered to pay £414 in court costs and fines.
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