Sunderland dad claimed he “miscalculated” driving ban after being caught behind the wheel

A Sunderland father who claimed he drove while disqualified because he “mixed up his maths” has been warned he will be jailed if he does it again.

Michael Lovis, 45, of James Street, Southwick, was banned from driving for 18 months in October 2024 for drink driving.

But on July 27 this year, he was stopped by police conducting spot checks on Washington Road, where it was discovered he was still disqualified and uninsured.

Lovis told officers he believed his ban had already ended, a claim District Judge Zoe Passfield dismissed at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.

She told him:

“You were disqualified for 18 months in October 2024. There’s no miscalculation that could have made you drive in July. You were well aware you were disqualified. Drive while disqualified again, in any circumstances, and you will go straight to custody.”

The court heard Lovis has 15 previous convictions for 28 offences. His solicitor Chris Wilson said he drove only because of concerns for a relative suffering diabetes-related illness.

Lovis admitted driving while disqualified and without insurance. He was given a 12-month community order, told to complete 120 hours unpaid work, handed a further six-month driving ban, and ordered to pay £199 in costs and surcharge.