Michael Kelly was pulled over by police on Cardross Road, Dumbarton, on January 31 as part of a routine check on vehicles in the area.

After speaking to the 24-year-old, they carried out a document check and discovered he was disqualified until March 18 this year. However, Kelly was not aware of this.

His solicitor, Roddy Boag, told the court he had admitted a charge of speeding in Southend, Essex, writing to the local Magistrates Court to confirm his plea of guilty. But instead of deferring sentence for his personal appearance, Mr Boag said the court decided to sentence Kelly on the basis of a print out of his licence.

The ‘totting up’ system of penalty points meant Kelly, of Castlehill Road, Dumbarton, had reached the threshold 12 points and was to be disqualified from driving. However, according to Mr Boag, he was not informed of this by the English court system.

His solicitor added: “He didn’t know he was disqualified, because no notification was given. Any letter he received made no notification about being disqualified.

“He had also received an enquiry from the DVLA asking if he wanted a new photo ID for his licence.” Kelly was also charged with driving without insurance, as his policy was ‘invalid’ because he had been disqualified.

Mr Boag asked Sheriff Carol Kelly not to disqualify his client, saying he had no intention to break the law and, as far as he was concerned, held both a licence and valid insurance.

Commenting on the bizarre set of circumstances, Sheriff Kelly said he should have been aware a disqualification of his licence would have been coming after his guilty plea to the speeding offence in England, as he already had a number of penalty points on his licence.

Sentencing, she said: “Your rather bizarre failure to enquire about penalty points suggests an attitude of burying your head in the sand and hoping it will all go away.

“I’m noting what’s been said on your behalf by your solicitor and your employers in terms of your requirement for a licence. I would be wholly entitled to disqualify you.” Sheriff Kelly chose not to though, imposing a fine of £200 and six penalty points.