A FATHER drove his friend’s car across Carlisle to pick up medication for his child despite never passing a test to drive.

Alex Steventon, 40, was driving his friend’s Nissan Navara on the afternoon of April 3.

Diane Jackson, prosecutor at Carlisle’s magistrates’ court on Wednesday, told the court: “Just before 5pm he was stopped by officers driving a Nissan Navara on Currock Road in Carlisle.

“Checks had shown that he was driving while disqualified and no valid insurance and he was disqualified until November 2020.”

Steventon, of Currock Street, chose not to be represented by a lawyer.

When asked by District Judge Gerard Chalk if he had anything he wanted to say he replied: “I am sorry, I felt I had to do it because of my kid’s conditions. I felt like I had to.

“I can’t walk across the city for medication and it was five days overdue.

"The other pharmacies never had the tablets. This was the only place. I had been waiting for five days and this pharmacy was the other side of the city. I have no money or anything so I felt it was the only way I could get the medication.”

The court heard how Steventon’s medical condition prevents him from walking long distances.

Judge Chalk asked: “You got your friend to borrow the car, why couldn’t you ask them to get the medication for you?”

“They were poorly,” Steventon replied.

“Have you ever passed a test?” queried Judge Chalk. “No,” replied the defendant.

“What would have happened if you ran over another five-year-old trying to save another five-year-old?” asked Judge Chalk. “You are not qualified to drive and you have never been qualified but you were prepared to drive right across town.”

Steventon was banned from driving for 12 months and was given a 15-week curfew requiring him to be at his home address during the hours of 8pm and 7am daily. He was also ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £90 victim surcharge.

“For goodness sake, think before you act in future," Judge Chalk told Steventon as he concluded the hearing.