A MAN who was caught driving without a licence or insurance after he popped to the shop for ingredients to finish off a meal appeared in court yesterday.

Darrell James Seed, 34, pleaded guilty to driving with no insurance or licence at Darlington Magistrates' Court.

Rachel Masters, prosecuting, told the court that police officers stopped Seed on Whinbush Way, in Darlington.

When he spoke to them, he voluntarily told officers he had no insurance and only a provisional licence.

The offence took place on March 26 at about 4.45pm.

Graham Ablett, mitigating, said Seed was making his wife, who was unwell, a meal for when she came in from work.

He needed tomato puree to complete the dish and used his wife's car to drive to Asda.

Mr Ablett said: "He knows he shouldn't have done it.

"He was just so intent on having things ready that instead of walking, he decided to jump in the car."

Mr Ablett added that Seed had never previously appeared before the court.

The magistrates fined Seed, of Kingsway, Darlington, £150.

He was also ordered to pay £43 costs and given six penalty points for both offences.