POLICE are to launch an investigation after a man who has never owned a car, or had a driving lesson, was summoned to court for using a mobile phone at the wheel.

Steven Andrews, 28, from York, is a chef in the Royal Navy, stationed at Plymouth with HMS Ocean.

Yesterday, he appeared at York Magistrates' Court to defend himself over accusations that he was driving a blue BMW through Bishop Auckland, County Durham, in July last year, while using his mobile telephone.

He said he had not even heard of the town, let alone been there, until he was summoned to court over the outstanding £45 fine.

Yesterday, he made a statutory declaration to the court to prove that he was not the driver.

He said his fellow sailors found his predicament funny and said it was a bizarre situation to be in.

He was forced to take three days leave to attend the hearing, which was originally scheduled for Thursday, and paid a £114 train fare for a six-hour journey to York.

A Durham Police spokesman said that an officer stopped a man who was using a mobile phone while driving a blue BMW in the centre of Bishop Auckland, on July 16, last year.

He gave Mr Andrew's name, address and date of birth.

The spokesman said: "The case now goes back to our central ticket office and there's every likelihood that the ticket will be withdrawn, given the magistrates' acceptance of the statutory declaration.

"There's every likelihood we will pursue the driver who clearly appears to have given false details to the police."