Onkar Bains, aged 51, has been handed a stern “last chance saloon” warning after driving while disqualified, just weeks after receiving a lengthy driving ban.
On 20 April, police stopped a BMW driven by Bains on Tettenhall Road in Wolverhampton. Unable to produce a driving licence upon request, further checks revealed that Bains had been disqualified from driving until 14 January 2028.
During proceedings at Dudley Magistrates' Court, it emerged that Bains has multiple previous convictions related to drink driving and failing to provide a specimen for analysis. Notably, his most recent court appearance in March resulted in a 40-month driving ban, yet he committed the current offence less than a month later.
READ MORE: Brian Madjo Draws Comparisons to Wayne Rooney Following Impressive PSG Display
READ MORE: Runner Beats Stage Four Cancer to Complete Birmingham Half-Marathon
Bains, who lives in Grangefield Close, Wolverhampton, pleaded guilty to driving whilst disqualified at the hearing on 30 July. His legal representative described him as a recovering alcoholic and stated that he had only driven a short distance to pick up a neighbour’s child, admitting that he should have declined.
The magistrate expressed frustration, saying: “The court has done a lot to try and help you and you’re not taking it. It’s difficult to know how to help you break this cycle. You’ve been offered help time and time again; this is heading towards a custodial sentence. On this occasion, we are going to give you an eight week sentence, suspended for 12 months. This is last chance saloon. Just don’t get in a car, don’t do it.”
In addition to the suspended sentence, Bains was ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work and to pay a victim surcharge of £114 along with £85 in court costs. Furthermore, his driving disqualification has been extended by 18 months, meaning he will not be permitted to drive until at least 21 May 2029.