Banned driver caught behind the wheel for the 16th time in Mansfield

Shaun Harris was recognised by police driving the Skoda Octavia, on Edale Road, at 3pm, on March 22, said prosecutor Becky Allsop.

He parked the car outside Oaktree Primary School and ran off, but was spotted by a second officer heading for his home address.

"His partner said he ran into the bedroom and woke her up," said Ms Allsop. "She confirmed that she hadn't given her permission to take the vehicle."

The court heard Harris has never held a driving licence and knew he was disqualified.

He was convicted of dangerous driving and burglary in January 2012.

Chris Perry, mitigating, said the defendant has 40 previous convictions for 119 offences, but last appeared in court in 2017, and has a "positive recent history."

He said that Harris beat his dependency on hard drugs after "a pretty bad start in life" when he was "introduced to hardened criminals" aged 12.

But his son had moved back into the one bedroom flat Harris shares with his wife and daughter, and this had caused a "tremendous amount of pressure."

Harris, 45, of Fritchley Court, Mansfield, pleaded guilty to taking a vehicle without the owner's consent and driving while disqualified and without insurance, when he appeared at Mansfield Magistrates Court, on Thursday.

He received an 18 month community order, with 31 sessions to improve his thinking skills, and 12 rehabilitation days.

He must pay a £95 victim surcharge and £85 costs. Six points were added to his licence.

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