Banned driver went wrong way round roundabout in Caerphilly
The officer came to a stop at the mini roundabout connecting James Street and White Rose Way, and spotted a Ford Transit recovery van driving across his path and going the wrong way around the roundabout.
The driver was described as having 'orange-y hair'.
The van pulled over and then drove off again before the police could catch up with them. When it pulled over a second time, a different man got out of the driver seat.
When questioned at the roadside, Cottrell – who was in the passenger seat – denied he had been driving and told officers he was actually banned.
Checks were carried out on the van, and the other occupant said he only let the defendant driver the vehicle because he didn't know where he was going, Ms Eckley said.
Cottrell denied was charged with driving whilst disqualified, driving without due care and attention, and driving without insurance.
He denied the offences, but was convicted following a trial at Newport Magistrates' Court on April 14.
Alex Cottrell drove the wrong way round a roundabout whilst he was banned from driving. (Image: Gwent Police)
Cottrell, of Pen-Yr-Heol in Penywaun, had five previous convictions for 11 offences – including for dangerous driving.
The court heard he was subject to a suspended sentence at the time of these latest offences, and his driving ban was due to expire just two weeks later – on November 12, 2024.
'The defendant accepts how stupid he has been,' said Huw Davies, appearing for Cottrell.
'The defendant is 23 and statistically hasn't reached full maturity.
'He now understands the seriousness of driving whilst disqualified.'
Mr Davies said the defendant was a self-employed contractor and had now hired a labourer to drive him to jobs.
The van was being driven to a garage for repairs – a journey of 'some five miles' – on the date in question, he added.
Mr Davies said Cottrell was 'a hard working individual' and had 'responded well' to his suspended sentence.
Sentencing the defendant, Judge Carl Harrison said: 'You lied to the police at the time saying you weren't the driver.
'The lie that you weren't the driver continued to the magistrates' court, where you were found guilty.
'You have shown a flagrant disregard for orders from the court.'
Cottrell was sentenced to a total of 12 months, including having 10 months activated of his suspended sentence activated.
He was also disqualified from driving for 18 months.
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