A BOURNEMOUTH woman has appeared in court for using an e-scooter without a driving licence or insurance.

Emily Victoria Young used the electric vehicle in Charminster Road, Bournemouth, on September 28 last year.

Young, 28, was sentenced at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court on May 18 after she admitted charges of driving a motor vehicle without a licence and using a motor vehicle motor on a road without third party insurance.

The defendant, whose address was given as Northcote Road, Bournemouth, was fined £250 and ordered to pay a £34 surcharge and £110 costs.

Her driving record was endorsed with six points by the bench.

At the time of the offence no e-scooters were permitted on Bournemouth’s roads.

A Department for Transport trial involving just Beryl hire e-scooters was launched in January of this year.

The trial permits residents with a valid driving licence, which they must verify on the Beryl app, to hire a vehicle and use across Bournemouth and Poole. The hire agreement with Beryl also provides the user with vehicle insurance.

Privately owned e-scooters remain illegal to use on public roads including in trial areas.

As reported this week, Dorset Police has issued a warning over the use of private e-scooters.

The force said officers could seize e-scooters being used illegally in the county and users could be prosecuted for their actions.

Sergeant Paul Harding said: “We are seeing a lot more people riding e-scooters on pavements, promenades, in parks and even on the road.

“We are very concerned about the safety of pedestrians, other road users and the riders themselves.

“Not all riders know that they are classed as powered transport and it is illegal to ride one on public land, this includes roads and pavements.

“They may find themselves committing an offence under the Road Traffic Act 1988 and, if on the pavement, the Highway Act 1835.”