A MAN drove for seven months without insurance after his girlfriend took money set aside for the instalments, a court was told.

Brian Newbold had asked his then girlfriend to pay off his insurance in September last year.

But the payment was not made and insurance cover lapsed, Droitwich magistrates heard yesterday.

Newbold said he had mistrusted the woman, who he has not seen since December last year.

On Tuesday, January 30, at 1.10pm Newbold was stopped at the junction of the A449 and Junction 6 of the M5 on the outskirts of Worcester.

He was charged with driving other than in accordance with his licence, without insurance, and without an MOT certificate.

The 57-year-old did not hold a valid licence after failing to reapply following a driving disqualification.

In July last year, Newbold, then living at the YMCA hostel, in Henwick Road, Worcester, bought a Rover car.

He paid the first insurance instalment of £75 that month.

But as he had no bank account, payments were made in cash to an office in Bromsgrove.

Instalments

"I was going to pay for the other two instalments and as my girlfriend at the time was going to Bromsgrove I asked her to pay the money for me," said Newbold, who represented himself.

"I just assumed she had paid it. I didn't ask for a receipt because I trusted her.

"You're always wiser after the event.

"The first I knew that I wasn't covered was when I was stopped by police."

Jobless Newbold, of Styles Court, Sandys Road, Ombersley, admitted the driving offences.

He was fined £100 and £35 costs.

Six points will also be endorsed on his licence when he reapplies to the DVLA.