News Beat
Banned driver seen on CCTV at McDonald’s Consett drive-thru
Brandon Luke Fettis was caught on CCTV driving a Renault Clio at a McDonald’s Drive-Thru in Consett, on both September 26 and 27 last year.
Peterlee magistrates were told he was banned from driving for two years in May 2024 and, therefore, there were still eight months of the disqualification period remaining at the time.
Fettis, 28, of Front Street, Leadgate, near Consett, admitted two counts each of driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.
The court heard he drove the car to the drive-through restaurant for someone else.
Josh Peacock, for Fettis, said the defendant received the ban for drug driving in May 2024.
“So, that ban will be up in about four months or so,” he said.
“He says he does have a problem with drugs, but he hopes to get a place in a rehabilitation centre for drug addiction.”
Magistrates’ chairman Keith Richardson told Fettis: “You’ve pleaded guilty to two counts each of driving while disqualified and without insurance.
“It seems to me you just disregard court orders.
“It would have been a £300 fine for each incident but you pleaded guilty, so the fine is reduced to £200 for each, therefore £400.”
Read next …. more court stories from The Northern Echo by clicking here
Fettis was also ordered to pay a £160 statutory surcharge and £85 costs order, leaving court with a total £645 bill, to be paid off at the rate of £50 per month.
He was also banned from driving for a further 12 months, from today.
Leaving court, the defendant was warned by Mr Richardson that if he commits the same offence again he would be facing a potential custodial sentence.
