A LEARNER driver who took his dad’s car out for ‘practice’ without permission and without a licence landed himself in front of magistrates.

Liam Francis Stephen Garvey, 33, was said to have been stopped by police when out driving on the Coast Road at Ulverston.

Appearing at South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court Garvey faced charges of taking a car without its owner’s consent and driving without a licence and insurance.

Garvey pleaded guilty to all three charges when he faced magistrates.

The car, a Toyota Yaris owned by his father Gerard, was said to have been taken by Garvey on the evening of March 28.

Prosecutor Pam Smith said police caught up with the defendant in a routine stop and check after he drew their attention on the road.

It was when they questioned Garvey that the officers discovered the car was not owned by him and that he did not have a full driving licence.

Garvey, of Great Urswick, represented himself in court and explained to magistrates that he did not think the incident would be classed as a crime.

He explained he took the car without first asking his dad because he was learning to drive and wanted extra practice.

He said he decided to take the car out later in the day because the roads would be quieter.

Garvey said: “I have always just thought of it as the family car rather than my dad’s.

“I am learning to drive and I took the car out because I needed extra practice and wanted to save a bit of money.

“I thought it would be a family matter rather than a crime.”

The defendant handed character references to the magistrates after offering his mitigation.

In sentencing, Garvey was disqualified from driving by magistrates for six months for taking the car.

As well that, he was also punished with 80 hours of unpaid work in the community.

He received no separate penalty for the other offences.

Garvey was also ordered to pay an £85 victim surcharge and £85 in court costs.