A ROMANIAN man was told by a judge “you need to understand the laws of this country” after he claimed he was unaware he was disqualified and uninsured when caught driving.

Constantin Murtaza was caught driving a Volkswagen Passat while serving a six-month ban for accumulating 12 penalty points on his licence.

He originally denied the charges when appearing at magistrates’ court on Thursday, before changing his plea during the hearing.

District judge Parkash Aujla warned the 21-year-old he could easily have been sent to prison, saying: “the fact you don’t know the laws of this country is not enough.”

Shafquat Riaz, prosecuting, said Murtaza was driving along Northwick Road, Worcester, when he was caught by officers, who checked the police national computer, at 4.45pm on April 1.

Judge Aujla told the defendant, who was representing himself with the help of an interpreter: “I want you to understand why people need to be insured before they go on the road.

“If you drive without insurance and there is an accident and injury or death the victim will not get a penny.

“We could have a situation where the main breadwinner is injured or killed, leaving children behind.

He continued: “Can you imagine what will happen to them?

“If you have insurance, they will get money.

“Why should you be allowed on the road without insurance?”

The judge went on to say, when a court tells a person to do something, “you are expected to respect that and obey it.”

He added that if people refuse to follow the law, “there will be anarchy and the system will collapse.”

Murtaza, of George Street, Worcester, already had another six points on his licence since the previous 12, giving him a six-month ban.

Judge Aujla gave him another six penalty points, meaning he has exceeded the points limit for a second time, resulting in the 12-month ban.

The defendant, who is self-employed and earns around £12,000 a year, was also ordered to pay £495 in court costs.

The judge said he could go to prison if caught driving.