A WOMAN who was caught driving without a licence on three occasions – breaching her probation order in the process – has avoided a prison sentence.
Sophie Amber Lusk (30) admitted her behaviour was “stupid and reckless” after she was caught behind the wheel three times in the space of a little over a month.
She had been sentenced in April to a 24-month probation order and 240 hours of community service for taking ten grams of cannabis into the prison and being concerned in the supply of a Class B drug.
The prosecution argued that the motoring offences meant that the existing probation and community service orders should be revoked and a jail term imposed in its place.
The court heard that, on 8 May 2026, reports were made that Lusk was seen driving out of her housing estate in a blue Mercedes and the caller believed that she did not hold a licence or valid insurance.
A police officer waited in the area until Lusk returned in the vehicle with her infant child in the back seat.
Lusk acknowledged that she held only a provisional licence, did not have a qualified driver with her or have ‘L’ plates on the car as required. Subsequent checks showed that Lusk’s provisional driving licence had in fact expired eight months prior.
On 11 June 2026, Lusk was again spotted driving the vehicle by an officer who knew that the she did not hold a licence. Lusk was cautioned and, when asked to provide insurance details within seven days, she provided insurance which was in the name of a third party and did not cover her.
The following day, Lusk was caught driving a different vehicle after an officer recognised.
When cautioned, Lusk became “irate” with the officer and claimed that she had recently renewed her licence – which was later proven to be false, the court was told.
Crown Advocate Lauren Taylor, prosecuting, said that Lusk was “acutely aware” that she did not hold a driving licence.
“This is not the first time the defendant has breached orders of the court. The Crown seeks to revoke both orders and impose imprisonment.
“The court has said on multiple occasions to think about the consequences on your children before offending. You have only been saved from immediate custody due to your children,” she told the court.
Advocate Allana Binnie, defending, said that the impact on Lusk’s children was a “vital” reason not to impose a term of imprisonment and added that her client was also “making progress” to address her offending.
Advocate Binnie explained that Lusk had been completing her community service by taking parenting programmes and asked the court to allow her client to continue with this placement.
“Whilst my client accepts things haven’t been totally perfect, if she remains in the community she will continue to make progress,” she said.
“What we have now is a placement that works. She is extremely grateful that this placement has been set up and she is feeling the benefit of it.
“To say she has suffered significant trauma in her life would be an understatement.”
The Bailiff, Robert MacRae, presiding, told Lusk that she had let herself and the courts down.
“You pleaded guilty to these offences at the first opportunity. You have described your behaviour as stupid and reckless – and it was.
“You chose to drive in those circumstances, effectively unlawfully.”
The Bailiff went on to acknowledge that Lusk has sold her car to avoid further motoring offences, is working with Brighter Futures and the impact on her children – who she is the primary caregiver for.
The court decided not to revoke her existing community service and probation orders and not to impose a term of imprisonment, allowing Lusk to continue her placements, as she was ordered to on 30 April 2025.
