A DREGHORN man caught driving with only a provisional licence has dodged a ban.

Hugh Miller, of The Glebe, was fined after driving unlawfully on the A78, near Pennyburn, on November 18 last year.

The 41-year-old admitted taking his partner’s car without lawful authority from Stevenston’s Kilwinning Road before driving without ‘L’ plates or a valid insurance policy.

Kilmarnock Sheriff Court heard how Miller was spotted driving at a very low speed by police with his hazard warning lights on at around 1.30pm.

Officers stopped to see if all was in order and found Miller in the front seat.
He admitted driving the vehicle, which had lost power, and stated the car belonged to his partner who was in hospital.

A police computer check showed that the woman was indeed the registered keeper of the car and Miller was only a provisional licence holder.

Miller’s father was the passenger in the car and despite being an experienced driver, the car was not displaying ‘L’ plates.

At court last week, Miller, a first offender, pleaded guilty to the charges.
Colin McLaughlin, defending said his client currently lives with his father and is studying a computing course at college.

The solicitor said Miller was struggling with the difficulties of his partner being in hospital and had to take his father to an opticians appointment.

Mr McLaughlin said Miller admitted this was an error on his part and the police attended to effectively assist.

Presiding Sheriff Iona McDonald fined Miller a total of £480, handed him six penalty points and endorsed his licence.