A BANNED van driver caught out on the A49 in Herefordshire did not know he had been disqualified, a court has heard.

Andrew Gilbert appeared before magistrates in Hereford for trial in March.

The court heard Gilbert had admitted one count of driving while disqualified and one count of obstructing or resisting a constable in the execution of their duty.

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A second charge of obstructing or resisting a constable in the execution of their duty, and a charge of using a vehicle on a road or public place without insurance, which Gilbert had denied, were dismissed as no evidence was offered.

The court heard from prosecutor Paul John that the 46-year-old had been caught out after getting behind the wheel of a Vauxhall Combi van on the A49 at Moreton on Lugg while disqualified from driving on December 29.

Hereford Times:

He had also wilfully obstructed a police officer who was acting in the course of his duty in Moreton on Lugg on the same date, the court heard.

The court heard a special reasons argument from defence solicitor Chris Read that Gilbert had been unaware of the disqualification and had taken swift action to make a statutory declaration, and handed him an absolute discharge.

Gilbert, of Moreton on Lugg, Herefordshire, was fined £307 for obstructing a constable, with magistrates saying they had taken his guilty plea into account when imposing the penalty.