Norwich driver caught back behind wheel FIVE days after ban

Lance Flavell, 38, was identified as the driver of a Ford Transit that was captured on a speed camera on the B1108 Watton Road at Colney on March 8.

Checks discovered the delivery driver had been disqualified from driving for 12 months just five days earlier on March 3. 

Flavell, of Peasenhall, near Saxmundham in Suffolk, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified at Norwich Magistrates’ Court.

Lance Flavell leaving Norwich Magistrates Court (Image: Newsquest)

The court heard that during a police interview he had admitted being at the wheel of the van when it was recorded doing 46mph in a 40 limit on the outskirts of Norwich but claimed he had not been aware that he was banned. 

READ MORE: Disqualified driver failed to stop after Norwich crash

He protested that a “misunderstanding” meant he believed he still had a driving licence. 

But prosecutors told the court: “An alternative version is that the defendant just didn’t care that he was disqualified.”

The court was told that he had also previously been hit with a driving ban in 2020.

Richard Mann, mitigating, said his job as a courier meant he does “a lot of driving” and that he was keen to see out his ban as quickly as possible to return to work. 

“He just wasn’t aware of it but accepts he is guilty for not updating the DVLA,” he said.

Magistrates decided against extending Flavell's disqualification after hearing it would impact on his work as a van courier (Image: Newsquest)

“What aggravates it is he has a previous driving disqualification but that was in very different circumstances.”

READ MORE: Norfolk disqualified pensioner caught back behind wheel in days

The court was told he was currently not working.

Magistrates decided against extending his current disqualification opting instead to impose six points on his driving licence. 

“We have given you the opportunity to get back to work as soon as possible and restart your life,” they told him. 

Flavell was also ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £344 and undertake 15 rehabilitation days. He remains banned from driving until March 2024.