A Wigan van driver is spared road ban despite clocking up more than 12 points

Tameside justices heard that 57-year-old Darren Smith, of Ashfield Avenue, Hindley, would lose work if unable to drive and so took pity on him, imposing another three points on his licence, taking him over the 12 that commonly leads to disqualification, and ordering him to £412 in the form of a fine, costs and a victim services surcharge.

The court heard he drove a Vauxhall Vivaro Sportive panel van on Atherton Road, Hindley, at 38mph on June 21 last year when the limit is 30mph.