A MOTORIST who mounted a pavement in Wallyford was stopped by police – and found not to have a valid driving licence.

Kirsty Mercer had “foolishly” agreed to drive a young relative after the child’s mother had taken unwell in February last year.

Mercer, of Morrison Avenue, Tranent, was seen driving the vehicle and pulling up and parking on a pavement near to a school in Wallyford.

Police approached the vehicle and, during a conversation with Mercer, it emerged that she did not have a licence after it had been revoked in October 2011.

As a result, the 51-year-old did also did not have insurance to drive the vehicle.

Solicitor Mary Moultrie told Edinburgh Sheriff Court that her client had “foolishly decided to drive him herself” after the child’s mother became unwell.

Mercer pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle while holding no driving licence and no insurance on Masons Way, Wallyford, on February 22.

She also admitted to driving the vehicle carelessly by driving onto a pavement where pedestrians were standing and parking the vehicle on the pavement.

Sheriff Douglas Keir said: “Taking in all the circumstances in this case, what I will do is in relation to charge two [no insurance] you are admonished.

“In relation to charge three [careless driving] I will simply impose penalty points.

“If you do not have a licence, you shouldn’t be near a car at all.”

Mercer was handed six penalty points and fined £160.