Serial Mansfield offender jailed after admitting driving while disqualified for 17th time

Lee Shipman, 34, of Lindley Street, appeared before Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court on Monday, January 13.

He admitted driving while disqualified and driving without insurance, as well as straling three sets of speakers from Tesco, in Chesterfield Road.

He also admitted failing to attend Mansfield Magistrates’ Court on November 16, and breaching a suspended sentence.

Prosecuting, Michael Little, said that Shipman had 16 previous convictions for driving while disqualified, along with a raft of other offences.

He told the court that police had been told to look out for Shipman’s white Ford Fiesta, as they suspected it was being driven by a banned driver.

When he was stopped, Shipman “spoke cordially” with officers, but then refused to comment in police interviews.

Defending, Steve Brint said that Shipman had recently been released from prison, had been provided accommodation but was awaiting benefits and could not pay his rent.

He had stolen the headphones, worth a total of £120 to help towards his rent, and was behind the wheel because he was looking for cash-in-hand work.

“In terms of prison, he’s the epitome of a revolving door really.”

Magistrates invoked a 52-week suspended sentence and added a further 16 weeks in custody. His 40-month driving ban was also extended and, from the time he is released from driving, he will be banned from the roads for a total of 136 weeks. He was also ordered to pay a £122 victim surcharge.