A 24-year-old man from Dagenham has been forced to pay more than £700 for driving without a licence or insurance.

Barkingside Magistrates’ Court heard yesterday how David Reynolds, of Highgrove Road, undertook an unmarked police car in the bus lane on Longbridge Road, Barking, on November 27, at driving above the speed limit.

Officers pursued Reynolds to nearby Cavendish Gardens, where he claimed to be “Reece Brown” and said his licence was at home.

While running background checks on his alias, police described his behaviour as “very erratic” before Reynolds finally came clean moments before the party set off for his house.

He had only a provisional driving licence and no insurance.

Sentenced in his absence, Reynolds was given six penalty points on his provisional licence and ordered to pay £745.

District judge Gary Lucie said: “Given the facts I find the case to be beyond all reasonable doubt.”