A Newcastle man has been sentenced for driving while disqualified and without insurance after he was initially let go by police due to a failure to perform proper checks. Marek Cicko, 35, from Farndale Road in Newcastle, was stopped by officers last year while driving a black Mercedes on Westgate Road but was subsequently sent home.
On 16 August 2022, police observed Cicko driving in a "poor manner," which included blocking oncoming traffic and obstructing a junction. According to Emily Sanderson, prosecuting, Cicko was directly in front of a police vehicle when the officers decided to intervene. He was pulled over on Elliott Terrace, but the officer who stopped him did not conduct the necessary checks to ascertain his driving status. It was only later, after returning to the station and performing thorough checks, that police discovered Cicko was disqualified from driving. Subsequently, he was arrested on 31 August.
At Newcastle Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, Cicko pleaded guilty to both offences. The court was informed that he had a history of traffic-related convictions, with a recent disqualification in 2023 for drink-driving, which he breached in the following year.
A probation report read in court noted that Cicko expressed deep regret for his actions, indicating that he only decided to drive out of necessity because his partner was unwell and they needed to purchase groceries. The report characterised his actions as impulsive.
Cicko, who moved to the UK from the Czech Republic as a child, is currently receiving benefits due to a diagnosis of psychosis. He is also pursuing education at Newcastle Management College, with aspirations to open a bistro in the future. During the proceedings, his defence attorney, Mark Humble, expressed that Cicko feels remorse for his actions.
Magistrate Derek Wilson ultimately sentenced Cicko to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, as well as imposing a driving ban for a period of 35 months. He is also required to pay £239 in court costs.
Source: Noah Wire Services