Banned Otley driver who crashed sister's car had lost licence after taking dad's car

Joseph Turner wrote his sister's Audi A1 off in the crash after taking it from the driveway of an address in Otley, where they both lived at the time.

Leeds Crown Court heard Turner's sister had driven him to a shop to buy lager before returning home and parking up on November 13 2020.

The court heard she said Turner, 27, was intoxicated when she went to bed.

Damian Broadbent, prosecuting, said just after 2.30am the following morning, Turner was captured on a neighbour's CCTV camera getting in the car and driving away.

He drove to a petrol station in the Burley in Wharfedale area around two miles away.

The court heard Turner lost control on a corner and crashed into a ditch, damaging the car before driving home.

His sister saw the damage when she left the house at 8am .

Mr Broadbent said the car - which she had paid £5,500 for five months previously - was written off by insurers.

Mr Broadbent said on June 3 2018, Turner had been banned from driving for taking his father's car without his consent and while over the drink drive limit.

Turner, of The Oval, Otley, admitted aggravated vehicle taking, driving while banned and driving without insurance.

Judge Christopher Batty told Turner: "You didn't learn your lesson last time when you took your dad's car.

"Your sister, bless her, has written a lovely letter about you and she thinks the world of you."

Judge Batty said Turner has since got a job and has made an effort to turn his life around.

He handed Turner an eight month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

Turner was banned from driving for 18 months and told to do 100 hours unpaid work plus 30 rehabilitation activity