A DRIVER stopped by police carrying out a routine check in Skipton was not insured and his provisional licence had expired, a court heard.

Kion Bowers, 22, was stopped while driving a Fiat Scudo on the A629 on March 12, Skipton Magistrates Court was told.

The court heard Bowers already had six points on his licence, for driving without insurance in July last year.

Bowers, who admitted using a vehicle without insurance and driving otherwise in accordance with a licence, apologised and said it had been a blatantly stupid thing to do. "I deserve to be disqualified," he said.

He added he had been completely unaware his provisional licence had expired.

Bowers, of Victoria Street, Sutton-in-Craven, for driving with no insurance had eight penalty points added to his licence. There was no separate penalty for driving otherwise in accordance with a licence.

The penalty points added to those already on his licence took him over the 12 points limit making him a 'totter' and resulting in a six-month disqualification.

He was also ordered to pay a fine of £440, a surcharge of £176 and cost of £85.