A MOTORIST caught driving while disqualified in Powys has escaped an immediate prison sentence because he is to become a father later this year.

James Anthony Cassemis, 37, was stopped by police in Llandrindod Wells on October 5 last year driving a Vauxhall Vivaro. A check on the vehicle showed Cassemis was banned until September 22 this year.

The defendant, of Crossfield Road, Barry, had originally denied driving while disqualified, as well as a second charge of driving without insurance. He had been due to stand trial at Landrindod Wells Magistrates’ Court on April 27 but had changed his plea to guilty ahead of the trial date. Magistrates issued a warrant for his arrest when he failed to attend court for sentence – Cassemis had written in to say he was in Scotland for work and could not appear.

Cassemis was at Cardiff Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, May 24, where he was jailed for 10 weeks – although magistrates suspended the sentence for 12 months.

“This is a serious offence which crosses the custody threshold and was committed in the course of your employment,” magistrates said.

“However, you have no recent convictions, (you entered an) early guilty plea and you are expecting a baby later in the year. To send you to immediate custody would cause you to lose your employment and would not be in the interests of justice for your family, therefore we will suspend (the sentence).”

The defendant must comply with a 12-month community order which will include completing 100 hours of unpaid work. He was also disqualified from driving for 13 months.

For driving without insurance he was fined £120 and ordered to pay a £128 surcharge as well as £85 costs.