At a sentencing hearing in Caernarfon Magistrates’ Court on December 9, a tractor driver escaped the mandatory 6-month driving ban after the court accepted an exceptional hardship argument.
On October 19, 2024, at around 7:30pm, a police officer spotted Matthew Jones holding a lit mobile phone in his right-hand as he drove his tractor westbound along the A55 near Treborth. The officer stopped Jones at Llanfairpwll as he was travelling toward Holyhead. At the hearing, Jones, 36, admitted to using a hand-held mobile device while driving, but the court heard that a driving ban would end his employment and means of supporting his partner and 5 children.
Jones, a self-employed freelance farmworker, begins work at around 4am and works seven days a week. In a typical day he will travel 60 to 70 miles, working in different locations in North Wales. His partner does not drive, and there are no other means of transport available to him at those early hours.
The court accepted the exceptional hardship argument. Although Jones now had 12 points on his licence, the mandatory, minimum 6 months driving ban was not imposed. It was stressed, however, that should he reoffend, the exceptional hardship argument could not be used again, and that he should be extremely careful going forward. In addition to the licence endorsement, he was fined £276 pounds.
If you are facing a driving prohibition through totting up, solicitors at Auriga Advocates can support you with clear advice based on years of experience dealing with similar cases. Call us now and get reliable advice and support as you defend your driving licence.