Man’s van in such a bad state that he’s been banned from driving for four years
A man who was caught driving a dangerous and overweight van on the M4 has been disqualified from driving for more than four years. Paul Holt, 43, of Clayburn Gardens, Thurrock, was spotted by officers on the M4 near junction 15 in a white Ford Transit van on June 5, 2024. Roads Policing officers suspected the vehicle had been overloaded and they signalled for Holt to follow them to Badbury Weighbridge, where the vehicle was found to weigh around 5,100kg, well over the max payload.
Holt's van was also found to have numerous defects, including dangerously worn tyres, inoperative rear offside brake light, reverse lights and side indicator, as well as a fuel leak constituting a fire risk. ADVERTISEMENT Recommended reading
The 43-year-old also provided false details before leaving the scene, and he was subsequently found to be driving while disqualified and without insurance.
Holt was sentenced to eight weeks' imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, for driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition, failing to stop for police, and obstructing a police constable in the execution of their duty on May 1 at Barkingside Magistrates' Court, Essex.
He was also disqualified from driving for four-years-and-ten-months, and required to complete a three-month drug rehabilitation course, 20 days of rehabilitation activity, pay GBP170 costs and a victim surcharge of GBP154.