Four drivers have appeared in court charged with offences including not having a valid driving licence and no insurance.

The drivers all appeared at Teesside Magistrates Court, where they were fined heavily for their actions. All of the below did not appear in court, and the offences were proved in their absence. 

The drivers who appeared in court were from Durham, Darlington, and Sunderland, and there cases were heard last week.

Here are the four who appeared in court: 

Nigel Fletcher, 55, of Diamond Terrace, Butterknowle, was found guilty at Teesside Magistrates' Court on February 23 and was fined.

The court heard that on July 13, 2023, Fletcher was the registered keeper of a vehicle, which did not meet the insurance requirements under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 and the Road Traffic Act 1988. 

At the Cleveland Magistrates' hearing, Fletcher admitted the charge.

Following his guilty plea, he was fined £115, ordered to pay a £46 surcharge to fund victim services and £110 in costs.

This brings the total amount due to £271, which must be paid by March 15.

Mateusz Kubicki, of Stockton Road, Darlington, was fined £220 for having his vehicle registered in his name without meeting the insurance requirements.

The 29-year-old man's case was proved in his absence at Cleveland Magistrate's Court on February 23.

Mr Kubicki did not appear at the court session in Teesside Law Courts, Middlesbrough.

He was further ordered to pay an £88 surcharge to fund victim services and £110 in costs.

A collection order for the total fees of £418 was made, with a set deadline of March 22 to complete the payment.

Scott Gaddes, 35, of Warkworth Close, Washington, was charged with using an unlicensed vehicle on October 1, 2023.

The previous license had expired on May 31, 2023. At the time, the annual rate of duty was £210. 

Gaddes was not present during his hearing at Teesside Magistrates' Court on February 23, 2024. 

The court proved the offence in his absence and ordered Gaddes to pay an overall total of £380, comprising a fine of £220, vehicle excise back duty of £70 and court costs of £90.

A collection order for the fine was made, and the court ordered that the balance be paid by March 22, 2024.

Alan Stewart, 55, of Hawarden Crescent, Sunderland, was found guilty in his absence of using an unlicensed vehicle in Sunderland.

The offence took place on May 10, 2022.

Stewart had been driving with an expired vehicle licence, according to the charges brought by the DVLA.

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Cleveland Magistrates' Court fined him £220 for the offence at a hearing on February 23, 2024.

In addition to the fine, Stewart was ordered to pay vehicle excise back duty of £40.42 and court costs of £90. 

A collection order was made by the court, and the amount is due to be paid by March 22, 2024.

Stewart did not appear at the Teesside Magistrates' Court to contest the charges.