A businessman from the East Flemish town of Sint-Niklaas has been sentenced to six months in prison for driving in spite of a driving ban. The man showed no interest in an ankle tag obliging the judge to sentence the defendant to six months in prison. The defendant was also banned from driving for two years and must pay a fine of 4,000 euros.
The manager of the company, which specialises in paving, had already been convicted ten times in the past, including on charges of driving under the influence of drugs. Nevertheless, he still got behind the wheel of a vehicle, despite his driving ban.
‘At the time of the incident, the defendant was supposed to go and collect his new identity card. His wife was unable to drive him due to a medical issue involving their child. It was a one-off,’ the businessman’s lawyer emphasised.
Six months in prison and a two-year driving ban
However, the judge was not impressed. He proposed an ankle tag as an alternative punishment, but the defendant showed no interest. The judge therefore felt compelled to impose a six-month prison sentence.
In addition to the prison sentence, the man also received a 2-year driving ban and a fine of 4,000 euros. After his driving ban, he must also pass all his driving tests all over again.