A banned Sheffield motoring offender is jailed after he was caught behind the wheel during a minor collision

Sheffield Crown Court heard on July 14 how Stephen Hirst, aged 37, of Martin Street, Upperthorpe, Sheffield, was caught driving a Vauxhall Antara after he had mistakenly reversed into another motorist near Morrisons supermarket, on Penistone Road, Sheffield.

Chantel Lowery-Green, prosecuting, told the court Hirst was involved in a minor collision after he reversed into another vehicle behind him.

Hirst, who has previous convictions including a driving ban, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified, driving without insurance and to driving without due care and attention after the incident on August 26 last year.

Geoff Flemming, defending, said: “It all amounts to a broken number plate and it seems to arise from engaging the wrong gear and moving a short distance at a low speed.”

Mr Flemming conceded Hirst has a “very bad driving record” but he has changed in the last two years “because he has found work and has accommodation.”

Hirst has also secured regular access to his children, according to Mr Flemming.

Mr Flemming said: “A great deal has changed in the intervening two years. He comes before the court a man who is in full-time, secure work.”

Magistrates, who considered a pre-sentence report from the probation service, sentenced Hirst to 18 weeks of custody and ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £128 victim surcharge. He was also further disqualified from driving for 36 months.