Woman caught driving while banned four times in Chester spared jail

Hayley Barlow, 40, of Treborth Road, previously pleaded guilty at Chester Magistrates Court to four charges of driving while disqualified, plus one of driving without insurance.

The court heard Barlow was caught driving a Vauxhall Astra in Sealand Road while disqualified on January 1, January 3 and January 8. She was also caught driving while disqualified on Lache Lane on January 11.

Prosecuting at the court on Tuesday, February 14, Leanne Gallagher said Barlow previously had been sentenced to a 46-month driving ban that was due to run until November 2025.

It was at 9.30pm on January 11 when police stopped Barlow, and enquiries revealed the defendant had been caught driving while disqualified on three other occasions.

Barlow had 30 previous convictions for 62 offences, including ones for driving offences.

Defending, Sam Fixter said a pre-sentence report had explained difficulties in Barlow's life.

Since the driving ban had been imposed, the Vauxhall Astra had been parked outside Barlow's property and she had used it when she was not that well, to get to the local shops and not to travel.

There was also one occasion when she went to pick up her son, whose pre-arranged lift failed to happen.

Barlow had accepted the offences were serious and she faced a possible custodial term.

The court heard prison would have an impact on Barlow's mother, who was in poor health.

Chair of magistrates Jane Davies said Barlow had been warned on a previous occasion that driving while disqualified could lead to imprisonment.

The defendant was told this was her "one chance", suspending the sentence on the basis it would be of detriment to others.

Magistrates handed Barlow an eight-week sentence, suspended for two years.

She must complete 20 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement and pay a £154 victim surcharge, plus £120 court costs.

The driving ban, which still had 34 months to run, would not be extended.