Woman avoids driving ban for no insurance charge

Although she faced a ban on the tot up points system a 39-year-old woman avoided a disqualification last Thursday at Banbridge Magistrates Court.
Judge's court wig and hammer or gavelJudge's court wig and hammer or gavel
Judge's court wig and hammer or gavel

Her solicitor said the loss of her licence would mean the loss of her business and people who worked for her would be unemployed.

Majella Sheppard, Glenburn Road, Katesbridge, admitted driving without insurance on May 16 this year.

The court heard she was stopped at Newry Road, Banbridge, and police checks showed there was no insurance for the vehicle she was driving.

She already had six points on her licence.

A solicitor representing the defendant said on totting up she should be banned but he would say this was an exceptional hardship case.

He explained that she had been continually insured with the same company for ten years up when the policy was stopped.

He added that she was completely oblivious she was not insured and when detected immediately obtained insurance.

The solicitor explained that the defendant was self-employed running her own cleaning business and employed three people.

He said she was distraught at the situation she found herself in and losing her licence would essentially mean the loss of her business and three people would be unemployed.

District Judge, Mr Paul Copeland, said he was satisfied the hardship threshold had been met and he would use his discretion.

He fined the defendant £250 and ordered her to pay a £15 offender’s levy.

Imposing six penalty points he ordered that she should not be disqualified.

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