A driver banned from the roads was arrested back behind the wheel twice within the space of a few weeks.

Shay Smith was arrested for driving while disqualified after being stopped at the wheel of a Seat Arona on St James Meadow in Norwich.

Appearing at Norwich Magistrates’ Court, the 21-year-old changed his plea to guilty after earlier denying having no licence and no insurance following the incident on September 5, 2022. 

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The court was told that just weeks later, on October 6, Smith, of Key & Castle Yard, Norwich, had been arrested again after being involved in a hit-and-run accident.

He was banned for an additional 12 months and made subject of an 18-month community order after admitting being disqualified and failing to stop after hitting a van while driving a VW Golf on Aylsham Road.

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Prosecutor Lesla Small told the court Smith’s licence had originally been revoked on grounds of physical fitness. 

Annette Hall, mitigating, said he was now engaging well with probation and support services. 

Magistrates imposed an 18-month conditional discharge and extended his driving ban by a further three months.