A young motorist caught driving without insurance admitted in court he had not paid a fine so he could avoid being banned from the road.

George Wagstaffe was stopped by police while behind the wheel of his former girlfriend’s car in Ashford in February.

The 22-year-old was given a fixed penalty notice (FPN) at the roadside - but he decided not to pay it.

He realised that - because he had been driving for less than two years at the time - paying the fine would have seen his licence endorsed with six points and automatically revoked by the DVLA.

Wagstaffe, of Beaver Road, Ashford, would have had to apply for a new provisional licence and become a learner driver again.

After failing to respond to the FPN, he was charged with driving without insurance and admitted the offence when he appeared at Folkestone Magistrates Court six months later, on November 12.

Wagstaffe was asked by District Judge Paul Booty why he had not paid the fixed penalty notice.

He replied: “I would have lost my licence (as I’d not been driving for two years) then, as I would have got six points.”

Judge Booty fined Wagstaffe £600 and endorsed his licence with six points. But as it had now been more than two years since he passed his test, his licence will not be revoked.

The court heard police stopped the HGV mechanic in his ex-partner’s VW Golf in St Stephens Walk in Ashford on February 1.

The car had been booked into his place of work in the town for an MoT.

Officers found the vehicle was only insured for a female to drive it and handed him the FPN.

The judge heard Wagstaffe earned £3,200 a month and had a reference from his employer to present to the court. He asked him why he didn’t have any insurance to drive the vehicle.

Representing himself, Wagstaffe said: “It was my ex-partner’s car and I said I would take it as I was going to work as it was pre-booked in for an MoT.

“It was a silly mistake. She was insured to drive it, but she lives in New Romney and I work there in Ashford so I said I would take it.”

Wagstaffe was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £240 and £85 court costs.

The judge added: “Be more sensible.”

FPNs for driving without insurance usually start at £300.