A SOLDIER just home from Iraq appeared in court yesterday accused of driving without insurance.

Before South Durham magistrates in Darlington yesterday, Robert James Hewson, 22, of Cunbry Barracks, Catterick Garrison, admitted driving with no insurance.

While he was fighting in Iraq in March, magistrates had convicted him in his absence of two charges, the other being failing to comply with a double white line.

The latter charge was dropped yesterday as police confirmed Hewson had paid a fixed penalty ticket.

The court heard he had been in the Army for five years and had served in Kosovo, Bosnia and Iraq, returning from Iraq just two weeks ago.

Mr Hewson was described as a "loyal, hardworking and trustworthy soldier" by his commanding officer.

Magistrates fined him £75, endorsed his license with three penalty points and ordered him to pay £35 costs for the no insurance charge.