A motorist was branded “a menace” after notching up an incredible total of 44 years of driving bans.

Raymond Beecham, 54, has repeatedly flouted the driving laws since 1973 and has driving bans that total 44 years.

His latest conviction was on Friday, June 19, when Beecham, of Longley Road, Croydon, was arrested for driving while disqualified and driving without insurance in Bromley.

He was remanded in custody and appeared at Greenwich Magistrates’ Court the next day, where he pleaded guilty to both offences.

He was sentenced to 18 weeks in jail and given another three-year ban.

Adrian Tink, RAC’s motoring strategist, said: “This man is clearly a menace on the roads and an example needs to be made of him on behalf of all honest, law-abiding motorists.

He has a string of motoring offences to his name, many of which can have very serious consequences. Three people are injured every day and one killed every other day by an uninsured or untraced driver. This man should be ashamed of himself.”

Sergeant Lee Howes of Bickley safer neighbourhood team, spotted the red Renault Scenic Beecham was driving and a vehicle check showed the car had no insurance.

The car was stopped and further checks revealed Beecham was a disqualified driver. The police confiscated the vehicle.

Beecham’s driving offences and disqualifications started in 1973 and he has been banned from driving since June 1997.

Sgt Howes said: “You can’t continue to drive whilst disqualified or you will end up in prison. This driver flouted the law, breached his driving ban and has suffered the consequences.”

His earliest conviction was for driving while disqualified, driving without insurance and drink-driving. In 1973, he was fined £30 and was given an 18-month driving ban.