Winchester man faces licence points and fines after uninsured drive
Robert Clay, 61, was fined £245 and handed six penalty points after driving a Lexus without insurance in Winchester. The case, heard at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court, marks the latest in a string of motoring offences to hit Hampshire courts.
A Winchester man has been penalised for driving without insurance, adding six penalty points to his licence and facing financial penalties. Robert Clay, 61, of Wales Street, was fined £245 and ordered to pay £85 in costs plus a £100 victim surcharge after pleading guilty to the offence.
The incident occurred on March 8, when Clay drove a Lexus along Telegraph Way in Winchester without third-party insurance. He appeared at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court on May 8, where magistrates imposed the penalty. Repayment will be deducted from his benefits in monthly instalments of £20, beginning June 4.
Key Points
- ⚖️ Robert Clay, 61, pleaded guilty to driving without insurance
- 📋 Fined £245 with £85 costs and £100 victim surcharge
- 🚗 Six penalty points added to licence; repayment via benefit deductions
- 📅 Case heard at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court on May 8
In a separate case, a 24-year-old Winchester man received a suspended prison sentence for theft. Charlie Keay, of Erskine Road, admitted stealing a mint green iPhone 15 from Elizabeth Collins in October 2025. On April 2, he pleaded guilty at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court, resulting in a 10-week suspended sentence, 15 days of rehabilitation and 125 hours of unpaid work.
Magistrates also ordered Keay to pay £500 compensation, though the court record did not specify a deadline. The sentence is suspended for 12 months, meaning Keay will avoid custody if he complies with the conditions.
📋 By The Numbers
- 10 weeks — Suspended prison sentence handed to Charlie Keay
- 125 hours — Unpaid work requirement imposed by the court
- £500 — Compensation ordered, payable to the victim
A third case saw a Hampshire woman ordered to pay compensation after multiple shoplifting incidents. Michelle Rutter, 43, of Station Close, Wickham, admitted stealing from four shops across Hampshire in February, including Sainsbury’s and M&S outlets. The total value of goods stolen amounted to £176.18, and she was ordered to pay full compensation at Southampton Magistrates' Court on May 4.
💡 Pro Tip
Always check your car insurance documents before driving. Even a moment’s oversight can lead to fines, penalty points and higher premiums down the line.
Rutter’s thefts spanned four shops between February 4 and 24, targeting food, floral and cosmetic items. Magistrates heard the offences were opportunistic, with no indication of a premeditated pattern. Compensation was set at £176.18, though no payment deadline was recorded.
| Defendant | Offence | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Robert Clay | Driving without insurance | £245 fine, 6 points, £185 costs |
| Charlie Keay | Theft of iPhone 15 | 10-week suspended sentence, £500 compensation |
| Michelle Rutter | Multiple shoplifting | £176.18 compensation |
| James Hogan | Shoplifting (alcohol) | £17.24 compensation |
The final case involved James Hogan, 41, of Ranelagh Road, Winchester, who admitted stealing alcohol and soft drinks from two shops in late February. He was ordered to pay £17.24 in compensation after pleading guilty at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court on May 1. No costs were awarded, and the court did not set a payment date.
Key Points
- 🛒 James Hogan stole wine and soft drinks worth £22.75
- 💷 Ordered to pay £17.24 compensation, below the value stolen
- ⏱️ Case concluded at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court on May 1
- 📝 No payment deadline specified by the court
These cases reflect a pattern of low-level offending proceeding through Hampshire’s magistrates’ courts in spring 2025. While none involved violent crime, they underscore the financial and legal consequences of even minor criminal acts.