Ammanford News

Family hardship saves Garnant man from losing licence

7:40am Thursday 2nd September 2010

A GARNANT man has escaped a driving ban despite totting up 12 penalty points on his licence.

Richard Martin Winstone, of 12 Cwmamman Road, persuaded magistrates that a driving disqualification would cause him and his family exceptional hardship.

Ammanford magistrates were told how the 26-year-old was spotted by police officers as he used a mobile phone while driving a Peugeot 406 along Cwmamman Road at 10.15am on June 12.

Winstone, who already had nine points on his licence at the time of the offence, admitted the charge but pleaded with the court not to impose a ban.

Under normal circumstances 12 penalty points on a licence leads to an automatic six-month disqualification.

Peter Rees-Jones, defending, told the court that Winstone had been on the telephone to his former partner explaining he would be late for a pre-arranged meeting when he was spotted by the officers.

Mr Rees-Jones told the court that Winstone, a distant relative of movie star namesake Ray, worked for his brother’s car valeting service picking up and dropping off customers’ vehicles.

He also said that Winstone acted as a carer for his elderly disabled mother.

Mr Rees-Jones told the court that any ban handed down to Winstone would undoubtedly effect both his brother’s business, his mother’s care needs and Winstone’s ability to stay in contact with his former family.

"We have decided that this does constitute exceptional hardship," said magistrates.

"We are having three points endorsed on your licence but we do consider that there is exceptional hardship and therefore we have decided not to disqualify you at this time."

Winstone was also fined £60 for using a mobile phone while driving.

He was ordered to pay £85 court costs and ordered to pay a further £15 legal surcharge.

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