A WOMAN who made a “foolish decision” ended up in the dock after she was caught by police with cloned registration plates.

Emiliyja Vezelyte put the fraudulent plates, which were linked to a different vehicle, on her BMW when she did not hold a driving licence or valid insurance.

Bournemouth Crown Court heard the 28-year-old had been disqualified following a drink driving conviction.

Vezelyte had since completed a driving awareness course and the disqualification had concluded. While she had applied for her licence back, she had not received it from the DVLA meaning, allegedly unknown to her, she was not allowed to drive.

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She made the decision to put on the fake plates and used them for a short period before she was stopped by police on January 20.

Prosecuting, Tom Wright told the March 25 court hearing that officers stopped a BMW, which was a “little worse for wear”, being driven by the defendant on the A31 near Ferndown.

Mr Wright said police enquiries established the registration plates on the car were fraudulent and related to another vehicle.

Vezelyte told a “little bit of a sob story” suggesting she had bought the car from an unknown man in Bournemouth and she had been told she was insured to use it. This was not a true account from the defendant. She had in fact put the fake plates on her own car.

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Mr Wright said the defendant made the decision to “circumvent other road traffic legislation”.

The defendant previously pleaded guilty to driving without a licence, using a motor vehicle without insurance, obstructing a police constable in the execution of their duty and fraudulently using a registration mark.

Philomena Murphy, mitigating, said: “She received a letter to say the disqualification had ended therefore she went ahead and reapplied for her licence and did not understand you actually had to have your licence in your hand in order to drive.”

The offences were committed when the defendant was at a “very low ebb in her life”.

Vezelyte, of Ringwood Road, Ferndown, had worked throughout the pandemic in care and nursing homes before switching to a job at a supermarket.

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“She has to take responsibility for her actions and she knows this was a completely stupid mistake and one that she deeply regrets,” said Ms Murphy.

Recorder James Newton-Price QC said the defendant had made up a story when she was stopped by police.

He issued here with a 12-month community order, which included 20 rehabilitation activity days and 50 hours of unpaid work.

She received nine points on her licence and was ordered to pay £300 costs and a victim surcharge.