A 19-year-old Blaenau Ffestiniog man has been sent to prison for 10 weeks for driving whilst disqualified and without a driving licence and insurance and putting three passengers in danger when he crashed.

Tracey Willingham told Dolgellau magistrates that the crash occurred on the back road between Rhyd and Llanfrothen on 25 October, when a 52-registered Toyota crashed into rocks and overturned.

The driver, Liam Thomas Evans, was disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence, the court heard.

Evans, of 24 Fron Fawr, pleaded guilty to driving whilst disqualified, without insurance and without an MoT certificate.

The court heard that Evans had been banned from driving for aggravated vehicle taking and was in January given a 12-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months.

Carys Parry, defending, asked the magistrates not to implement the suspended sentence because her client was of low ability.

She said that the splitting up of his parents had an effect on him.

The court heard that Evans had recently bought the car and was taking three friends for a spin from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Penrhyndeudraeth to pick up a music system, adding that there was no drink involved at all.

The court probation officer said that Evans had completed an unpaid work programme and a previous curfew order, and paid £600 in compensation in full. His solicitor said that his compliance with previous orders was a reason not to send him to prison.

But magistrates disagreed. Court chairman Keith Lycett said that he purchased the car knowing that he was not allowed to drive it.

“You put yourself and three of your friends in danger, you all could have been seriously injured. Luckily there were only minor injuries,” he said.

He added that the magistrates could not justify not implementing the suspended sentence. Evans was sentenced to two weeks’ imprisonment on the suspended sentence and eight weeks’ imprisonment on the driving whilst disqualified charge. No separate penalties were imposed on the insurance and MOT charges.

Evans was also banned from driving for a further 12 months and must pay £85 prosecution costs, £20 victim surcharge and £150 court charges.

Evans was expected to serve half the 10 weeks sentence in custody with the other half on licence.