DRIVING through Powys without insurance and a defective tyre has cost one motorist a monumental financial headache after he was fined more than £1,000.

Florinel Daniel Alexandru, 32, will also now have nine penalty points on his licence after he was convicted of both offences this week.

Alexandru was stopped on the A483 between Newtown and Abermule driving a Ford Galaxy just after 5pm on January 12 this year. Police who stopped Alexandru found that the cord of one of the vehicle’s front tyres was exposed. He was also found to be driving without insurance.

Alexandru, of Stirling Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, had not entered any pleas to either charge and was not present at Llanelli Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, June 29, where he was convicted of both offences in his absence.

For using a vehicle with a faulty tyre, he was fined £440 and had three points put on his licence. He must pay an additional £660 for driving without insurance, while another six points were placed on his licence.

In addition, magistrates ordered him to pay a £110 surcharge and £90 costs – meaning he has to pay a total sum of £1,300.