John Young, of Sutton Road, was stopped by police on August 9 because half the number plate of the vehicle was missing.

It then transpired that he had a provisional licence but the insurance was invalid because he was not supervised in the vehicle. The car also had no L plates displayed on it.

Young pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle with no licence and having no insurance.

Antony Stannard, defending, said, "He had a full driving licence for about 20 years in the USA and when he came over here reasonably recently he applied for a provisional licence. He has this and is planning to take his test.

"He should have had L plates on the car and been supervised.

"His licence enables him to drive a low powered moped.

"He uses this to get from Seaford to where he works in Brighton.

"On the day in question his bike broke down and he took the decision to take his wife's car.

"He has no provision convictions and his provisional licence is a clean one."

Young was fined £400, received six penalty points and must pay £70 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.