Banned Blyth driver got behind wheel to travel distance of four-minute walk to see kidsDaniel Smith, who lost his licence last year and wasn't due to get it back until August, showed his contempt for the court order when he got behind the wheel in Blyth, NorthumberlandView Image Daniel Smith leaves South East Northumberland Magistrates' Court in Northumberland. (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)A banned Northumberland driver got behind the wheel to travel the distance of a four-minute walk in order to see his kids. Glenda Beck, prosecuting at South East Northumberland Magistrates' Court, said police were on patrol in Blyth at around 9.10pm on December 18 last year when they spotted Smith in his Mercedes. Graham Crouth, defending, said: "The purpose of the journey was to travel to his former partner's house to see his children. ‌"He will never be able to offer an acceptable excuse for not walking it - it's a four-minute walk.

Source: Daily Mirror March 21, 2026 06:05 UTC