No driving ban for breaking limit by 41mph on Black Lion Road (From South Wales Guardian)

No driving ban for breaking limit by 41mph on Black Lion Road

7:00am Friday 10th August 2012 in News

A CAPEL Hendre motorist who was caught speeding at 71mph in a 30mph zone was spared a driving ban after Carmarthen magistrates heard it would cost his boss his buisiness.

Robert John Powell, of 102 Waterloo Road, pleaded guilty to exceeding the speed limit by 41mph in Black Lion Road on the night of December 8.

But the bench decided against disqualification on learning that the 28-yearold defendant was the sole employee of a carpet-fiitting company whose boss was currently incapicitated following a motorbike accident.

“If you were to decide to impose a period of disqualification not only would he be out of a job, it would also have a fatal impact on the b u s i n e s s , ”defence lawyer A n d r e w Manners told the court.

Powell, who p r e v i o u s l y held a clean licence, was instead fined £375 and ordered to pay £660 costs along with a £15 victims’ surcharge. His licence was endorsed with six penalty points.

Describing his client as a man of “impeccable character” Mr Manners said Powell had been working all day in Bath just prior to the offence. “It’s a great shame he comes before you today,” he added. “He deeply regrets what he did.

“His boss was in a serious accident when he was knocked off his motorbike in May. Since then, the burden of running the business has been cast solely on Mr Powell’s shoulders.”

Chairman of the bench Ken Burton told Powell they had decided to give him a chance in view of the circumstances.

“This is the only chance you’ll get and if you ever come before us on another speeding charge in the future you will be walking, believe me,” he added.