A 56-year-old taxi driver has been fined £800 for driving without insurance.

Kathryn Frances Radcliffe was carrying a fare when she was stopped by police on December 6.

After she pleaded guilty to the offence magistrates also banned her from driving for three months.

Magistrates chair Julie Maddrell told Radcliffe: ’As a professional driver you have a particular responsibility to ensure you are insured.’

Prosecuting advocate James Robinson told the court how Radcliffe was stopped by a special constable on December 6 at 9.05pm while she was driving a Mercedes Benz on Douglas Road in Santon.

She was given five days to produce her driving documents.

However, when she later presented them to police she produced a quote prior to being stopped, but an insurance certificate which commenced after she had been stopped.

Defence advocate Jerry Carter said: ’Ms Radcliffe had applied for a quote in good time. She was given a quote of £1,600 which was very high. Her broker advised her that they could obtain a better quote.

’She maintained that she needed cover and did receive a quote which was £500 cheaper.

’Unfortunately by the time that happened cover had lapsed.

’Ms Radcliffe rather mistakenly believed she would remain being covered. She immediately obtained cover. Unfortunately she didn’t make the extra checks to make sure she was insured.

’It was not an attempt to deliberately drive without insurance.’

Mr Carter went on to say that Radcliffe, who lives in Ardonan Lane, Regaby, near Ramsey, had set out on one occasion to pay her premium but her car had broken down and her broker had told her that there would not be a problem.

Magistrates also ordered her to pay £50 costs which she will pay along with the fine at a rate of £200 per month.