A young motorist risked the revocation of his licence with a conviction for careless driving earlier this year.

Kai Oram, then aged 17, was convicted of driving without due care and attention at magistrates’ court, on July 15.

It related to the manner of his driving in a Ford Fiesta on Yoden Way, Peterlee, and Sunderland Road, Horden, on April 18, this year.

He was awarded six penalty points on his licence and ordered to pay a £22 statutory surcharge by the magistrates.

But, as a driver within two years of qualification, during what is known as the probationary period, six penalty points would have resulted in his licence being revoked.

That would have left him needing to apply and pay for a new provisional licence, with the requirement to pass both theory and practical parts of the test to obtain a full licence, again.

Read more: Businessman was seen by police driver in County Durham using phone while driving

The now 18-year-old defendant, of Herton Close, Peterlee, appealed against the sentence at Durham Crown Court.

Judge Jo Kidd told the appellant’s counsel, Mark Styles, she had read the notice of appeal.

Mr Styles said he had documentation over the work his client had carried out at college.

“He has not been driving a significantly long time. He has obtained work, insured his car and paid insurance.”

Judge Kidd, sitting with two magistrates, agreed to reduce the sentence on Oram by imposing only five penalty points, rather than the six awarded by the magistrates.

She told him: “So, that will enable you to continue your job and continue to drive your car.”

But she added: “Please be careful in future.”

Read next:

County Durham man at wheel of Audi claimed he was not driving

County Durham man caused head-on collision after taking traffic island in wrong direction

Drug driver from Sherburn in Durham must pay costs after dropping appeal

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