Newtown Ford driver banned from roads until October 2027
Darren Keith Bebb, 23, took control of a red Ford Fiesta when police followed the car after his friend told him that he was wasn't legally allowed to drive.
Welshpool Magistrates' Court heard that the car failed to stop for police in the Welshpool area on May 29 and made off towards Newtown. Officers later saw Bebb and his friend leave the vehicle and run away from police.
Apprentice farmer Bebb was caught, arrested and interviewed where he admitted that he was driving the car and was disqualified and had no valid insurance.
READ MORE | Young driver stopped with drugs and alcohol in his system in Welshpool
Defence solicitor, Geraint Parry, said his client expressed "genuine" remorse for his actions.
"He wishes to explain that on that night he accepted a lift from Scott Stirling, who held a valid licence.
"Mr Stirling began driving in an aggressive manner. Police followed and Mr Stirling panicked. He then told Mr Bebb that he legally couldn't drive and urged Mr Bebb to run. Mr Bebb then took over the vehicle.
"Mr Bebb says looking back he made a poor decision, which was made out of panic and fear and not with criminal intent.
"He said that he'd rather be arrested than lose his life, considering Mr Stirling was driving. The journey was mostly with Mr Stirling driving the majority of the distance. There was no harm or dangerous driving from Mr Bebb.
"He drove a short distance, and it was a spontaneous incident. It was a mad panic where he felt his life was in danger at the time."
READ MORE | Year road ban for provisional motorist following drug driving arrest
Mr Parry added: "He is not a young man who seeks to flout the law. He has taken full ownership for his actions. He is prepared to accept a further disqualification, and he is determined not to come to court again.
"His record doesn't speak highly, but we hope he doesn't appear in court again. The defendant is quite anxious that he may get a custodial sentence."
Probation officer Joe Long told the court that Mr Bebb's friend was driving and "playing chicken with oncoming vehicles".
"Mr Bebb takes over the driving out of fear for his own safety," Mr Long explained. "He was caught and arrested and spoke openly when interviewed by police.
"His decision was poor, but he couldn't see an alternative way out. There were other options available to him, but he failed to identify these."
Bebb, of Frolic Street, Newtown, was given an 18-month community order with 200 hours of unpaid work and 20 days to work on his consequential thinking skills.
He also received an extra 12 months on his driving ban, which means he will not be able to drive until October 2027.
Chair of the magistrates' bench, Rebecca Klug, said: "Driving whilst disqualified is really dangerous because you're disqualified for a reason. We were actually shocked that you have never passed a driving test.
"You swapped with your friend because you were worried about your life. We have to think about the other road users and protecting them because you're putting others at risk if you drive. So, for goodness' sake, do not be tempted to drive next or you could be looking at prison.
"Please don't come back here again."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Western Telegraph
2 days ago
- Western Telegraph
In court from Haverfordwest, Newport and Dinas Cross
The five defendants were accused of stealing a car, drink-driving, speeding and drug-driving. Their cases were heard at Haverfordwest Magistrates' Court. For the latest crime and court news for west Wales, you can join our Facebook group here. Here's a round-up of the cases. PHILIP JENKINS, 58, of Glen View in Merlin's Bridge, was driving whilst under the influence of cannabis. Jenkins was behind the wheel of a Volvo V60 on Pembroke Road in Haverfordwest on January 17. When tested, he recorded having 4.2 micrograms of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol per litre (µg/L) of blood. The legal limit – to exclude accidental exposure – is 2µg/L. He pleaded guilty at Haverfordwest Magistrates' Court on July 29. Jenkins was disqualified from driving for three years, and was sentenced to pay a £120 fine, £85 in costs, and a £48 surcharge. MADELEINE YOUNG, 29, of Treffynnon Lane, outside Newport in Pembrokeshire, has been banned from the roads after drink-driving. Young was driving a Hyundai i10 on Church Street in Newport on July 13. When breathalysed, she recorded having 55 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35. Young pleaded guilty, and was disqualified for 13 months at Haverfordwest Magistrates' Court on July 29. She must also pay a £392 fine, £85 in costs, and a £107 surcharge. RHYS WHEELER, 23, of Erw Lon in Penycwm, stole a car and damaged it whilst driving under the influence of drugs. Wheeler took a Ford Fiesta without the owner's consent in the Haverfordwest area on January 11. He was then alleged to have driven the stolen car without a licence or insurance between Brawdy and Hayscastle, whilst also under the influence of drugs. During this time, Wheeler was described as 'a danger to road users'. The court heard that when the stolen car was recovered, it had been 'damaged beyond economic repair'. Wheeler pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, driving whilst unfit through drugs, and driving without a licence or insurance. The defendant was sentenced to 12 weeks, suspended for 12 months, at Haverfordwest Magistrates' Court on July 22. As part of this, he must complete 200 hours of unpaid work and 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days. Wheeler must pay £85 in costs and a £154 surcharge, and was banned from driving for two-and-a-half years. KIRSTY ROGERS, 39, of Cormorant Close in Haverfordwest, has been sentenced to a community order for drug-driving. Rogers was driving a Kia Sportage at Withybush Retail Park on March 30. When tested, she recorded having 96µg/L of benzoylecgonine – the main metabolite of cocaine – in her blood. The legal limit is 50µg/L. She admitted the offence and was handed a one-year community order at Haverfordwest Magistrates' Court on July 22. As part of this, she must complete 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days. Rogers was also fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £114 surcharge. She was banned from driving for 17 months. ANDREW WATSON, 60, of Maes Y Dderwen in Dinas Cross, was caught speeding in a 20mph limit. Watson was driving a Ford Focus in Houghton, near Milford Haven, on December 17 when he was clocked by a manned speed camera doing 28mph in a 20mph limit. He pleaded guilty, and was fined £100 at Haverfordwest Magistrates' Court on July 22. Watson had three points added to his licence, and must also pay a £40 surcharge.
Powys County Times
2 days ago
- Powys County Times
Welshpool man accused of drink driving to stand trial
A man accused of drink driving in Welshpool is set to stand trial later this year. Marcin Fesker, 34, is said to have driven a blue Honda Accord while under the influence of alcohol in the Oldford Rise area on April 20. With the aid of a Polish interpreter, Fesker pleaded not guilty to being more than two times over the drink-drive limit. Welshpool Magistrates' Court was told that Fesker had been charged after a blood test came back as 168mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood – the legal limit is 80mg. The case was adjourned for a trial to take place at the same court on Monday, October 13. The magistrates released Fesker, of Heulwen Square, Welshpool, from the dock with no bail conditions.
Powys County Times
4 days ago
- Powys County Times
Newtown Ford driver banned from roads until October 2027
A young farmer who "feared for his life" while his friend was "playing chicken with oncoming vehicles" has been given another driving ban despite having never passed a driving test. Darren Keith Bebb, 23, took control of a red Ford Fiesta when police followed the car after his friend told him that he was wasn't legally allowed to drive. Welshpool Magistrates' Court heard that the car failed to stop for police in the Welshpool area on May 29 and made off towards Newtown. Officers later saw Bebb and his friend leave the vehicle and run away from police. Apprentice farmer Bebb was caught, arrested and interviewed where he admitted that he was driving the car and was disqualified and had no valid insurance. READ MORE | Young driver stopped with drugs and alcohol in his system in Welshpool Defence solicitor, Geraint Parry, said his client expressed "genuine" remorse for his actions. "He wishes to explain that on that night he accepted a lift from Scott Stirling, who held a valid licence. "Mr Stirling began driving in an aggressive manner. Police followed and Mr Stirling panicked. He then told Mr Bebb that he legally couldn't drive and urged Mr Bebb to run. Mr Bebb then took over the vehicle. "Mr Bebb says looking back he made a poor decision, which was made out of panic and fear and not with criminal intent. "He said that he'd rather be arrested than lose his life, considering Mr Stirling was driving. The journey was mostly with Mr Stirling driving the majority of the distance. There was no harm or dangerous driving from Mr Bebb. "He drove a short distance, and it was a spontaneous incident. It was a mad panic where he felt his life was in danger at the time." READ MORE | Year road ban for provisional motorist following drug driving arrest Mr Parry added: "He is not a young man who seeks to flout the law. He has taken full ownership for his actions. He is prepared to accept a further disqualification, and he is determined not to come to court again. "His record doesn't speak highly, but we hope he doesn't appear in court again. The defendant is quite anxious that he may get a custodial sentence." Probation officer Joe Long told the court that Mr Bebb's friend was driving and "playing chicken with oncoming vehicles". "Mr Bebb takes over the driving out of fear for his own safety," Mr Long explained. "He was caught and arrested and spoke openly when interviewed by police. "His decision was poor, but he couldn't see an alternative way out. There were other options available to him, but he failed to identify these." Bebb, of Frolic Street, Newtown, was given an 18-month community order with 200 hours of unpaid work and 20 days to work on his consequential thinking skills. He also received an extra 12 months on his driving ban, which means he will not be able to drive until October 2027. Chair of the magistrates' bench, Rebecca Klug, said: "Driving whilst disqualified is really dangerous because you're disqualified for a reason. We were actually shocked that you have never passed a driving test. "You swapped with your friend because you were worried about your life. We have to think about the other road users and protecting them because you're putting others at risk if you drive. So, for goodness' sake, do not be tempted to drive next or you could be looking at prison. "Please don't come back here again."
