Suspended sentence for Newbury man Florin Varga caught driving while disqualified in Thatcham

A MOTORIST has narrowly avoided being sent to prison for defying a driving ban.

Florin Varga appeared in the dock at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, May 30.

The 31-year-old, of Priory Road, Newbury, had already admitted driving a Peugeot 207 Sport on Crookham Hill in Thatcham on Saturday, January 27, when he was disqualified from holding a licence.

Mr Varga further admitted driving without insurance on the same occasion and the case was adjourned for pre-sentence reports to be prepared.

At the resumed hearing on Thursday, magistrates sentenced Mr Varga to eight weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months.

In addition, he was required to complete 100 hours unpaid community work and his existing driving ban was extended by six months.

Finally, Mr Varga was ordered to pay £85 costs, plus a statutory victim services surcharge of £154.