Last updated at 16:05, Sunday, 26 August 2012

AN “INEXPERIENCED” motorist has been banned from the road for 18 months after driving dangerously near a school.

Kyle Braithwaite, of Beckside Road, Ulverston, was found guilty of driving dangerously near Low Furness School in Great Urswick on March 15.

The trial took place on August 2, and Braithwaite returned to Furness Magistrates’ Court on Thursday for sentencing.

He was reported to the police after the driver of another car reported Braithwaite’s Seat Arosa had raced up behind him near to the school, and then overtaken him on a bend.

Prosecuting, Miss Judith Knott described the 22-year-old as driving “recklessly and dangerously”.

Defending, Mr Graham Jackson said: “As we have heard this was a foolish incident and thankfully there was no injury or damage involved.”

Mr Jackson said his client was an inexperienced driver and he had not meant to cause any harm.

He also said that his car had approached the witness’ vehicle quickly because their car had turned out of a side road, and into the faster main road near the school. He said his client should have taken ‘a great deal more care’ when he was driving and suggested that a community penalty would be a necessary punishment.

However he said a curfew would not suit Braithwaite as he suffers from depression and often visits his family during the evening.

Magistrates issued the defendant with a six-week curfew from 7pm to 6am and 36 hours at an attendance centre.

He was also disqualified from driving for 18 months and ordered to pay £585 costs.

First published at 13:19, Sunday, 26 August 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk