Motorist caught driving while banned jailed (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Motorist caught driving while banned jailed

8:57am Monday 22nd October 2012 in News

A MOTORIST banned eight times for driving while disqualified was caught by police at the wheel again.

Steven Marsden was followed by an unmarked police car on the A449 near the Mitre Oak pub, Crossway Green.

He pulled into a layby and tried to walk off but was arrested, Worcester Crown Court heard.

Marsden was already on bail for punching his girlfriend in the face during an argument, said Paul Whitfield, prosecuting.

He was also in breach of a suspended jail sentence for a road rage incident in which he deliberately reversed into another car.

Marsden, 30, of Shorthill Caravan Park, Crossway Green, pleaded guilty to driving while banned, driving uninsured and common assault.

He was jailed for six months and the 16-week suspended sentence was activated consecutively.

He is already banned from the road indefinitely until he passes an extended re-test.

The defendant and his girlfriend Maxine Whitehouse returned to the caravan site at 11.45pm on June 14 after a row in a pub, said Mr Whitfield.

She decided to go back to her home in Worcester but another argument flared as she was packing her clothes.

Marsden grabbed her by the throat and punched her, causing a swollen mouth, said Mr Whitfield.

Bailed by police, he was arrested again on August 29 after being spotted driving a Mazda car.

The court heard he had a previous conviction for battery when he attacked another girlfriend by spilling coffee over her and grabbing her throat. He then picked up a knife and threatened to stab her and her family.

Defending, Danny Smith said there was a background of violence in Marsden's family.

He and Miss Whitehouse, who was 20 weeks pregnant, had resumed their relationship.

Judge John Cavell said Marsden had "quite deliberately" driven again against a background of eight previous road bans.