A learner driver has appeared in court after taking her father’s car without permission to deliver a Chinese takeaway.

Michelle Watts, of Birkfield Drive, Ipswich - but formerly of The Walk, Kesgrave, admitted three offences when she appeared before Ipswich magistrates.

The 48-year-old pleaded guilty to taking a car without consent, driving with no insurance, and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence. The offences occurred on October 9.

Prosecutor Lesla Small said the vehicle belonged to Watts’ father.

Around 6.30pm police saw the Hyundai being driven in Alan Road, before it turned into Felixstowe Road where it stopped with its engine running.

An officer spoke to Watts and when he checked he discovered she had no insurance for the vehicle and only held a provisional licence.

Watts admitted the car belonged to her father and that she had taken it without permission.

When her father was spoken to he told police he had given her a driving lesson and then gone home to bed.

Magistrates heard Watts told police she was going to deliver Chinese food for the Asian Delight takeaway in Rosehill Road. She admitted she knew she should not have driven without a fully licensed driver being with her.

Watts also knew her father would never have let her have the car on her own.

Lyndon Davies, representing Watts, said his client had a number of mental health difficulties.

He added she had been offered occasional work delivering food and took the car on impulse.

Magistrates put six penalty points on Watts’ licence and ordered her to pay £230 in fines and costs.