06-07-2025
Welshpool woman drove from Stoke while disqualified
A banned driver who claims she drove from Stoke to Welshpool in "desperate circumstances" will be sentenced later this month.
Karen Rivers, 39, had been spotted by police driving an Alfa Romeo Mito at the Applegreen petrol station in Salop Road just before 8.30pm on June 11.
Rivers told police she thought her driving ban for totting had ended after she was arrested and taken to custody.
Prosecutor Helen Tench told Welshpool Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, July 1, that a "significant distance" had been driven by Rivers and there were passengers involved including a baby.
Rivers pleaded guilty to driving whilst disqualified and using a motor vehicle on a road without third party insurance.
"It was a journey she felt she needed to make in desperate circumstances.
"The vehicle was insured but she wasn't insured to drive it.
"She made a full and frank admission to police.
"There was nothing wrong with her driving. She's a competent driver."
Magistrates decided to adjourn the case for a pre-sentence report to be prepared by the Probation Service.
Cynthia McVey, chair, said: "Due to the significant distance from Stoke and that the passengers included a baby, we wish to have a report from the probation."
Rivers, of Borfa Green, Welshpool, was given no bail conditions other than to return to court for sentencing on Tuesday, July 29.
The defendant's driving ban comes to an end ahead of sentencing, on July 20, the court was told.
