A COUPLE swapped places in a moving car while being followed by police who recognised the driver as being disqualified, a court heard.

Marcus Houlsworth, 21, of Vickers Field, Kendal, was spotted driving a Vauxhall Corsa on Greengate at around 8.50am on March 29.

His partner Kerry Ann Taylor, 19, of the same address, was seen in the passenger seat.

Furness Magistrates’ Court heard that as police started to follow the car, there was a lot of movement in the front seats, as Houlsworth and Taylor changed places while the vehicle was still moving. The car stopped shortly afterwards, and both occupants were arrested.

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In interview Houlsworth told police that he had been taking Taylor to Carlisle to see her daughter.

As Taylor suffers from depression, he did not feel she was capable of driving herself, and saw no other option but to take her, as she was very distressed about getting to see her daughter.

Houlsworth said that he instigated the swapping of seats when he panicked about the police stopping them.

Both pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.

In mitigation Jackie Partington said the couple were going through a very difficult period at the time due to ongoing civil court proceedings.

She said that Taylor had been in contact with the crisis team for her mental health issues, and had only asked Houlsworth to drive because she did not feel she was able to at the time.

Miss Partington also pointed out that the vehicle was moving at a slow speed and that the incident was resolved quickly at the scene.

Houlsworth was jailed for 70 days and also disqualified from driving for a further 19 months. He must also pay a victim surcharge of £115.

Taylor was given a 12-week curfew to remain at home between the hours of 8pm and 6am and was disqualified from driving for 12 months. She must also pay £85 court costs and an £85 victim surcharge.