A DISQUALIFIED driver who was caught behind the wheel without insurance told a court he had no knowledge of the ban and insisted he had not been made aware his policy had lapsed.

Marian-Gabriel Ocroteala, 29, was spotted by patrolling police officers driving a Volkswagen Golf in Avon Way, Colchester, in July.

Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard the car was flagged as having no insurance.

The car was stopped and Ocroteala told the officers it was his partner’s vehicle, insisting he was a name driver on the policy.

Pretty Barber, prosecuting, said: “The defendant had showed the officers an email from insurers, which showed the policy ended on June 25.

“He then showed officers online banking statements where payment had been taken out on May 4.

“Further checks showed the insurance had lapsed on June 26 and was due for renewal, however, this was not renewed.

“Letters and emails were sent to the policy holder, but no response was received.”

Further checks showed Ocroteala had been banned from driving for six months on June 24.

He did not attend court to hear the ban and in interview said he was unaware of the disqualification, which was put in place for a speeding offence.

Representing himself, Ocroteala, of Old Heath Road, Colchester, admitted driving while disqualified and without insurance, telling the court he held a German driving licence.

He said he was a food delivery driver by trade who worked hard to support his family.

He reiterated he had been unaware of his driving ban and the lapsed insurance, accepting he had made a mistake.

He said: “The insurers didn’t send me an email to inform me my insurance would be finished, they didn’t give me a phone call - I didn’t know about this.

“I’m not so stupid, with a seven-month-old child at home, to drive without insurance.

“I am not this type of person.”

Magistrates ordered Ocroteala to pay £339 in fines and court costs, before adding a further two months on to his driving ban.