Gateshead mother who got friend to take speeding…

Gateshead mother who got friend to take speeding penalty points to avoid driving ban walks free

A mother who got her friend to take her penalty points for speeding was caught when police founds texts of them discussing the scam on her phone.

Stephanie Simpson was desperate to avoid a driving ban as she was already on nine points and initially claimed a man had been behind the wheel at the time. But when told the evidence showed it was a woman driving, she offered her friend, Georgia Dingwall, who didn't even drive, cash and cannabis to take the points.

They appeared to have got away with it until police seized Simpson's phone in relation to other matters and found messages between the pair discussing the plan. Now the two 33-year-olds, who admitted perverting the course of justice, have been spared prison because of the detrimental effect it would have on their children.

Newcastle Crown Court heard it was on November 29 2020 that Simpson's car was clocked doing 67mph on the 50mph A184 Felling Bypass, in Gateshead. As the insured driver of the car, she got a notice of intended prosecution in January 2021.

She initially responded to it by saying a man had been driving at the time but when told by the fixed penalty unit that the driver had been female, she then nominated Dingwall, as the driver and she accepted the blame and was fined £100 and given three penalty points.

The offence only came to light when Simpson's phone was later seized by police in relation to other matters and on it they found texts between her and Dingwall discussing the speeding offence and how Simpson would be banned from driving if she got the three points, having received three points a month prior for another speeding offence and also having six points on her licence for having no insurance.

A later message from Dingwall confirmed she had taken the points. The court heard Dingwall had been offered cannabis or cash in return for identifying herself as the driver.

Simpson, of Ravensworth Road, Gateshead, and Dingwall, of Dacre Street, South Shields, admitted perverting the course of justice. Simpson was sentenced to six months suspended for 12 months and Dingwall got four months suspended for 12 months. Both were also given a rehabilitation activity requirement and Simpson was banned from driving for six months.

Judge Robert Spragg said: "It's been said this type of behaviour strikes at the heart of the criminal justice system. You have come perilously close to immediate custody.

"Immediate custody would have a significantly harmful impact on your children. That's the main reason you are not going immediately to custody. The vast majority of people who commit this offence do go to custody."

Simpson said she panicked when getting the notice of intended prosecution. Robin Turton, defending, said she is remorseful and has been the victim of "trauma throughout her life", including threats and violence from an ex partner and his family. He said: "That had a profound impact on the way she viewed the world. She said her car was a safety bubble."

Mr Turton added that she has anxiety and depression and a medical condition which causes fatigue and she is dependent on her car. He said: "That weighed heavily on her mind when she made the stupid decision to do what she did." He added that she is the sole carer for her 14-year-old daughter.

Gavin Doig, for single mum-of-three Dingwall, said she has anxiety and depression and has a good chance of rehabilitation. The court heard she didn't drive and didn't appreciate the seriousness of what she was doing.

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