Cressing man Maciej Olesik jailed for breaching driving ban

District Judge Christopher Williams said Maciej Olesik, 42, was someone who “cannot be trusted” to comply with any other punishment.

Olesik, of Braintree Road, Cressing, was stopped in Cannon Street, City of London, while behind the wheel of a Mercedes on July 12 last year.

Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard Olesik was supposed to be serving a 36-month driving ban, which had been imposed in June 2021 when he also ignored a previous disqualification.

Sentence - Olesik appeared before Colchester Magistrates' Court

Police ANPR cameras flagged his Mercedes as having no insurance and when stopped, the defendant told officers he was aware of his disqualification.

Representing himself in court, Olesik claimed he decided to take a “risk” as he needed to collect a passport so he could get a job.

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“It was a necessary choice as I could not find a job without a bank account. This was the only day I could get [a passport] for this,” he said.

“Someone disappointed me at the last minute so I took the risk and got in the car. I took the wrong choice.”

Olesik, who works restoring classic cars, pleaded with Judge Williams to spare him an immediate term of imprisonment during the sentencing on Tuesday.

Police action - Olesik was stopped in Cannon Street, City of London (Image: Google)

He said since the incident he has got a rescue dog which has given him a sense of responsibility in his life.

Olesik added: “Before, I didn’t have responsibilities and I didn’t take the law as I do now.

“I did not have a future and so I didn’t take any responsibility.”

But Judge Williams criticised Olesik for ignoring “plenty of opportunities” handed to him by courts in the past.

He jailed him for 16 weeks and gave him a four-year extended driving ban.

“To put it bluntly, you are someone who has had your chances, but you are someone who cannot be trusted with a community order,” said Judge Williams.

“Your previous record is pretty appalling and you seem to keep ignoring the court when you are told not to drive.”