by Ross Lidbetter

ross.lidbetter@essnmedia.co.uk

A serial offender who could just be Croydon's most dangerous driver has been banned from driving – until 2037.

Raymond Beecham simply cannot seem to accept he is not allowed behind the wheel of a car.

Ever since he started driving Beecham, of Longley Road, has faced a series of driving bans.

During the last 36 years he has been caught drink-driving SIX times and racked up driving bans totalling 44 years and six months.

The 54-year-old is now behind bars after flouting the law yet again. By the time he is allowed to take his driving test again he will be 82 years old.

Councillor Chris Wright, who chairs the Croydon Road Safety Partnership group, described Beecham's constant offending as "unbelievable".

He said: "This is somebody who is determined to flout the law and he should be punished with the harshest penalty available.

"Drink-driving is something that you think is gradually being drilled out of the system and getting less, but people are still doing it.

"These drivers are a hazard to themselves and other road users."

Bromley police have taken the step of releasing a photograph of Beecham due to his persistent offending.

Cllr Wright added: "To make an example of a case like this is good and should be encouraged."

Beecham's latest sentence came after police spotted a red Renault Scenic being driven by Beecham in Bickley on June 19.

It was flagged up on their computer system as having no insurance, so the car was stopped and checks revealed Beecham was disqualified.

He was arrested and charged with driving while disqualified and without insurance.

Beecham – also known by the first name of Ernest – appeared at Greenwich Magistrates' Court the next day where he pleaded guilty to both offences.

He was sentenced to 18 weeks imprisonment and given a further three-year disqualification from driving.

On top of previous bans he has accumulated over the years this means he is now banned from driving until 2037 and his car has been seized by police.

It was Beecham's 12th court appearance for driving offences having first appeared at Tower Bridge Magistrates' Court on December 10, 1973 where he was given an 18-month driving ban and a £30 fine.

But prison, bans, fines and community punishments have failed to stop Beecham driving.

Sergeant Lee Howes, of the Bickley Safer Neighbourhood Team, added: "Beecham is a prolific and convicted disqualified driver whose driving on the roads places members of the public in danger.

"He has flouted the law, breached his driving ban and has suffered the consequences.

"You can't continue to drive whilst disqualified or you will end up in prison."