A teenager rode a motorcycle while disqualified for a second time because TCD granted him a license despite his original ban.

Magistrates' Court heard how Bruno Pacheco Vincente, 16, fell foul of the law on the first occasion for underage riding. A ban was imposed on July 25 2007, which is due to expire on January 24 2009.

However, he was caught riding an auxiliary cycle on Middle Road on December 20 2007 after Police spotted a defective taillight. According to Crown Counsel Maria Sofianos, Vincente told officers: "I didn't know that I was off the road."

Defence lawyer Stephen Notman told the court that Vincente, a student, was banned when he was 15.

"Age 16, he was taken down to TCD to do a driving test with his class mates. They granted him a driving license. There was no record that he was disqualified," said Mr. Notman.

He acknowledged that Vincente should have brought this to the attention of staff, but told Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner: "It may have created some confusion within the mind of a 16-year-old boy."

Mr. Warner responded: "Or it may be he thought he could get away with it?"

He imposed a $400 fine and ten demerit points, but opted not to extend the original driving ban.