Advice greatly appreciated

Hi

I was a Director of a company. The company owned and ran a small number of vehicles for work purposes. The administration of these vehicles was the job of the Admin Manager in the office. She ensured they are MOT'd, tax'd, insured, booked in and out, repairs done etc.

Last year, whilst out on a job I was pulled over. It transpired the work vehicle I was driving was not taxed or insured.

When two months earlier we had changed company bank accounts, the Admin Manager had not updated the insurance and tax Direct Debts for the vehicles, amongst other things. Ultimately, this error on her part was one of several reasons she ended up losing her job and within a few months the company actually wound up and I found myself unemployed.

When I stepped in to the van that morning, I had no reason to believe the vehicle was not legal to drive.

I am in court in a few weeks and can not afford a solicitor so will have to defend myself. Is there any defence surrounding the fact that I had absolutely no reason not to suppose the vehicle I was using that day was not legal?

Any help or advice would be appreciated as I'm trying hard to find employment and a ban would scupper any chances I have.