Michael Fishpool pleaded guilty at Teesside Youth Court

Police stopped Michael Fishpool as he was riding a motorised scooter on the pavement near his home on Teesside.

Weeks later he was issued with a summons and prosecuted for driving a vehicle without a licence.

The Driver Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) warned that other users of motorised scooters faced prosecution if they were used on public roads.

Michael, of New Marske, near Redcar, said: "The police just stopped me and gave me a warning, then I was pretty shocked to get a summons through the door."

His mother Michelle said: "We thought it would get dropped because we really didn't believe that a toy needed a licence, insurance and tax.

Private land

"We thought it was all a mix-up and would get sorted out. But that was not to be."

She said it was "ridiculous" that her son was forced to attend Teesside Youth Court and plead guilty to an offence of driving a mechanical vehicle without a licence or insurance.

She has since sold the battery-powered scooter.

A DVLA spokeswoman said motorised scooters were classed as motorcycle or mopeds and required similar licensing.

She said: "It is the agency's view that vehicles of this type may only be used safely and lawfully on private land."

In 2000 the High Court ruled motorised scooters were "motor vehicles" in the eyes of the law and their riders must have a driving licence and third-party insurance to use them on the road or use them only on private land.