Driver escapes ban due to exceptional hardship for family

Banchuen Alderdice (42), Demense Valley, Dromore, was fined £200, ordered to pay a £15 offender’s levy and given three points for a speeding offence.

The court heard that on October 14 last year she was detected travelling at 71mph zone in a 60mph zone on the A1 dual carriageway.

Her solicitor said she had currently nine points on her licence and he would make an application for her not to be banned due to exceptional hardship.

He explained that Alderdice had held a Northern Ireland licence since 2005 and had no points until 2013.

The solicitor said she had three children at home and has to get them to school. She also worked in Loughbrickland and if she was off the road would not get to her place of work.

He explained that she had received six points for a no insurance offence and then three points for a speeding offence last year.

District Judge, Mr Paul Copeland, said she had been repeatedly driving too fast.

But, he added, he would take into account all that had been said and would not ban her because of exceptional hardship on the defendant and her children.