Telford man avoids jail after driving while disqualified in Ketley

A Wellington man has been handed a suspended prison sentence after he was caught behind the wheel of a Vauxhall Astra while banned from the roads.

Michael Collins, 42, of Kingshaye Road, appeared before Telford Magistrates’ Court on 6 March 2026 to face charges of driving while disqualified and using a motor vehicle without third-party insurance.

The court heard that on 27 December 2025, Collins was spotted driving a black Vauxhall Astra on Holyhead Road in Ketley. Investigations confirmed that he was currently disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence and was driving without the required insurance.

Magistrates were told that the offences were considered particularly serious as they were committed during the early stages of a previous disqualification and while Collins was already subject to a community order. However, his guilty plea was taken into account during sentencing.

Collins was sentenced to eight weeks imprisonment, suspended for 24 months. Explaining the decision to suspend the custodial period, the court noted that the defendant has an offer of work and serves as a carer for his vulnerable son. It was determined that an immediate prison sentence would prevent him from accepting employment and fulfilling his caring responsibilities.

In addition to the suspended sentence, Collins was disqualified from driving for a further 48 months and ordered to pay £85.00 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service.

His driving record was also endorsed for the insurance offence, though no separate penalty was issued for that charge.