A 43-year-old Newent man caught at the wheel of a Mercedes several months after he had lost his driving licence because of disability has been fined £120.
David Hill, of The Stables, Southend Lane, Newent, had his licence revoked in August last year but on 6th February this year he drove a Mercedes 320 in Henrietta Street, Cheltenham.
At Cheltenham Magistrates Court he admitted the offence and was banned from driving for three months. He was also fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs.
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