Nicholas Wood, a Birmingham-based banker, was arrested in a car park at Queen Elizabeth Hospital after driving while disqualified. The 28-year-old admitted to the offence at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on June 9, receiving a £738 fine, a £295 victim surcharge, £85 prosecution costs, and six penalty points on his licence.
The incident occurred around 11:30 p.m. on May 13, when police noticed a Cupra Formentor being driven by a banned driver. Wood was identified as the driver when the vehicle was tracked to an underground car park at QE Hospital. He revealed that he was transporting his girlfriend’s mother, who was experiencing severe breathing difficulties and was considered vulnerable due to serious health conditions.
Wood explained he made the ‘poor decision’ to drive despite his disqualification, which was set to expire less than two weeks later, because emergency services had warned that an ambulance would take over an hour to arrive. His solicitor emphasized the emergency nature of the situation, noting Wood’s concern that his girlfriend’s mother might be dying.
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The court heard Wood works for Barclays Bank, earning £3,200 monthly after tax, while managing significant debts. Magistrates acknowledged that Wood had other options available, such as taking a taxi, but the urgent circumstances influenced his decision.