Banned Gateshead driver supposed to be fixing pensioner's Porsche caught taking it for spin
Richard Bland, who had been disqualified for drink-driving, got behind the wheel of the high-end car despite not having permission from the owner
by Sara Nichol · ChronicleLiveA banned driver who was supposed to be fixing a pensioner's Porsche was caught taking it for a spin.
Richard Bland, who had been disqualified four months earlier for drink-driving, had originally taken the vehicle with permission to do some welding work. However, the 51-year-old kept it for longer than agreed and was spotted by police behind the wheel of the high-end vehicle in Whickham, Gateshead, a court heard.
Bland, of Henderson Avenue, in Swalwell, was arrested and pleaded guilty to taking a vehicle without the owner's consent and driving while disqualified. He also admitted having no insurance.
Paul Anderson, prosecuting at Newcastle Magistrates' Court, said Bland was initially given the Porsche Carrera in August this year to carry out the welding work and said he would be in touch with the owner in a few days. Mr Anderson added: "A week later, he contacted the owner and said more work was still needed to be done and he said he would keep it for longer.
"He was then seen by police in a car park and he drives off. He's stopped and he's fairly frank in interview with the police and says he's a disqualified driver. In interview, he said he had taken the vehicle and shouldn't have been driving it.
"Effectively, he has been using the car not to do work, but for his own purposes. The disqualification was given in April. It was for 20 months and he was only four months in."
In a statement, the Porche's owner said: "It's emotionally drained me. I thought he was a professional."
Representing himself, Bland said the car had been in a "rotten state" and needed a lot of work doing. He denied using the car for his own personal use.
Giving him a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, District Judge Paul Currer said: "You fall to be sentenced in relation to serious offences. You had just been disqualified and, because of your disqualification from driving, you had no insurance and you took the vehicle without the owner's consent.
"Bearing all these things in mind, the sentence passes the custody threshold but I don't think it would be appropriate to send you to prison for this offending."
Bland was also given a further 20-month driving ban and must pay £85 costs and a £154 victim surcharge.
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