A DISQUALIFIED driver has been sent to prison after being caught behind the wheel twice within a few days.

Victoria James, who gave her address in court as Falcon Road, Haverfordwest, but also has connections to College Court, Neyland, appeared from custody at Haverfordwest magistrates court on Wednesday, February 18, and pleaded guilty to two charges of driving while disqualified and without third-party insurance.

The court heard that James, 35, had been banned from driving for 15 months on January 23.

Vaughan Pritchard-Jones, prosecuting, said pregnant James told police she was on her way to an antenatal appointment when she was stopped driving an Alfa Romeo at Johnston on February 15.

The officer took her to hospital and James, 35, later went to the police station where she was bailed after admitting driving.

She was arrested three days later when caught behind the wheel of a Ford Fiesta at Waterston.

Mr Pritchard-Jones said: “These offences are very serious due to the fact that she has only recently been disqualified.”

He added that James was subject to a suspended sentence for an earlier conviction.

Jonathan Webb, defending, said James was not someone who regularly ‘cocked a snook’ at court orders, but had been told to get to Withybush hospital straight away on February 15 because she reported she was suffering pregnancy complications.

“Her partner was at work and she did not want to frighten him. She took a gamble, which did not pay off.”

Mr Webb added that there was ‘no good reason’ for James’ second driving offence.

“She was trying to cover up her embarrassment. Her gran asked her as a favour to put new tyres on her car. She drove a short distance, she was afraid to tell her gran that she was disqualified.

“It is nothing other than rank stupidity that led her to do that.”

Magistrates sent James to prison for six months and banned her from driving for two years.

She was ordered to pay a £115 surcharge.

The chairman of the bench said: “You have brought this on yourself.”

Following the case, Sergeant Justin Williams of Dyfed-Powys said: “I hope this targeted, swift work from roads policing officers and the courts, which has resulted in a prison sentence serves as a stark warning to James and others considering flouting the laws on our roads. We we will take robust action to ensure we keep other drivers on our roads safe by upholding the law.”