A woman with a fascination for driving has been made the subject of community orders after she drove while disqualified.

Donna Garthwaite, 20, of Whitfield Drive, Hartlepool, appeared before Hartlepool Magistrates Court and admitted driving while disqualified, no insurance, possession of blade/sharp pointed article and taking and driving a motor vehicle without consent.

Sharon Campbell, prosecuting, said a man discovered his Astra van had been stolen from outside his house and his friend later spotted Garthwaite driving it.

Ms Campbell said: "When she was arrested it was discovered she had been disqualified from driving for three years." Police also found a 4in knife in her pocket.

Andrew Blair, mitigating, said: "She says she has a fascination for driving and she accepts it is a problem when temptation is put in her way."

Garthwaite was made the subject of three months' tagging, 60 hours community punishment order and one-year community rehabilitation order. She was ordered to pay £105 compensation.