A Newport man with a horrendous driving record – including dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified and drug driving – has been handed a suspended prison sentence by Magistrates – and warned he will go to prison if he commits further offences.
39-year-old Matthew John Barton, of Whitpit Lane, appeared before the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court this morning (Friday) to be sentenced for 3 offences of driving whilst disqualified, driving without insurance and drug driving (BZE) – charges he pleaded guilty to last year.
The court heard from prosecutor Lauren McConnell that on 11th April 2024, Barton was stopped on the A34 heading southbound after Police received information that a Mercedes Sprinter was possibly being driven by an individual without a licence nor insurance.
Officers stopped the goods vehicle at the Sutton Scotney services, where the driver initially gave false details to the officer. Eventually, Barton gave his genuine details and provided a drugs wipe sample which returned positive for cannabis and cocaine, which resulted in his arrest and his vehicle being seized.
Blood results later returned a reading of 123ug/l for BZE against a limit of 50. Although THC was detected in the blood, it was below the limit of 2.
Details of Barton’s previous convictions – 13 convictions for 27 offences – were made clear to the bench, which includes driving without due care and attention in 2010, dangerous driving in 2014 and driving whilst disqualified twice in 2019, as well as drug driving.
Defending, Mark Kessler was honest to say that his client had not treated matters with the seriousness they deserved and that he poses a danger to himself and others. However, Mr Kessler made clear that his client had not been in trouble for the past 5 years and had completed 120 hours of unpaid work as part of previous community orders.
The court heard that unemployed Barton, who was supported in court by his son, owes over £1,300 in fines.
In passing sentence, the chair of the bench told Barton:
“If you appear here again for motoring offences do not expect to walk out the door”.
Magistrates handed Matthew Barton an 8-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and made him subject to 20 rehabilitation days. He was also further disqualified for a period of 3 years and ordered to pay £85 costs with a £154 surcharge.
So many offences but still only a suspended sentence,
what does one have to do to get banged up!
Traffic law is a joke.
Should be banged up, not his first offence, won’t be his last!
To give false information, driving whilst disqualified,
no insurance and on drugs.
“What a joker”, what STOPS a person who is disqualified
still driving.
Needs monitoring.
Is that all he got? What a waste of time and money even arresting him he must of been laughing all the way home?
How did he then get home from Sutton Scotney?
“of Whitpit Lane”
Yes, agree, absolutely witless.
I bet that doesn’t stop him , the temptation to drive and take drugs will be high I expect