MAGISTRATES yesterday agreed not to ban a farmer from driving after he admitted speeding.
Robert Dennison, 59, of Crowtree Farm, Thornton-le-Beans, Northallerton, told South Durham Magistrates' Court, sitting in Darlington, that his business would collapse if he could not drive farm machinery.
The court heard that he already had nine points on his driving licence for a previous speeding offence and a careless driving conviction.
The magistrates gave him another four points, taking him above the 12 points needed for disqualification, after he pleaded guilty to doing 45mph on the 30mph A167 at Aycliffe Village, County Durham.
But they allowed him to keep his licence after accepting his claim that he would suffer extreme hardship if given a driving ban.
Dennison was fined £75 and ordered to pay £35 costs.
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