A WARRINGTON man has been jailed on his daughter’s birthday after he was caught driving while disqualified for the 33rd time.

Gavin Martin Pollen, of Holly Bank Caravan Park in Rixton-with-Glazebrook, initially claimed to police he hadn’t realised he was supposed to take a re-test following a previous ban.

The 40-year-old was driving a Range Rover on the A57 when he aroused the suspicion of the police on Monday, June 20.

Emily Comer, prosecuting, said: “He was brought to the attention of the officers as he left the motorway.

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“Despite having previously been banned, Pollen hadn’t applied for a retest or was holding a provisional license and displaying L plates.

“Despite telling officers at the scene he wasn’t aware, he later admitted when interviewed and said he was sorry he had driven.

“Pollen has 32 incidents of driving while disqualified.”

Pollen was made the subject of a suspended sentence order for driving while disqualified on two occasions in 2020 and 2021 in the Merseyside area. That sentence was activated in March of this year after he was convicted of assaulting a woman in Liverpool.

Warrington Guardian: Gavin Pollen was jailed for eight weeks at Chester Magistrates Court - Photo: TwitterGavin Pollen was jailed for eight weeks at Chester Magistrates Court - Photo: Twitter

Dominic McNabb, defending, said his client had suffered from mental health problems, including PTSD, and wanted help from the probation service.

“He is appearing in court today on his daughter’s birthday,” he said.

“The reason he drove his brother’s vehicle that day was because he said he needed to get out the caravan he lives in alone.

“I accept he has caused his own difficulties, but he wants some help.

“He accepts he has an unenviable record with regards to disqualified driving.”

A probation officer told the court how Pollen had attended just five of a possible 11 appointments and despite being given support, had continued to offend.

Magistrates considered the matter for several minutes before returning to court to tell Pollen he was going into immediate custody.

“We have taken into account your previous record,” they told him.

He was told he will serve eight weeks behind bars.