A CARE home manager tried to escape a driving ban for speeding after claiming she was rushing to get urgent prescriptions to her patients.
Sandra Ghalamkari, of Lyfs Lane, Kempsey, Worcester, failed to argue "exceptional hardship" as magistrates gave her a driving ban.
The manager of The Firs Rest Home in St John's previously admitted the offence of speeding on the A44 New Road, Worcester.
The court heard she had travelled at 35mph in a 30mph zone near Worcestershire Cricket Club's ground.
The 73-year-old appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court on Friday, (January 13).
At the start of the hearing, Ghalamkari said she had six points on her licence, expecting three points to be added for the offence.
But the court clerk explained at the time of her latest offence, on April 2 last year, she had 10 points on her licence meaning she was now a "totter" as the three meant she was over 12 points.
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Ghalamkari was told her exceptional hardship reasons must not be merely an inconvenience, or hardship - but exceptional hardship for which the court must have evidence.
Taking the witness box Ghalamkari said the reason for speeding was she had been rushing to get an urgent prescription for one her residents.
"I was collecting it as quickly as I could," Ghalamkari said.
"I'm a proprietor and the manager of Firs Rest Home - I'm on call 24/7, I have been for 40 years.
"I have several points for doing this on my licence, so I can make sure my patients get prescriptions quickly."
Ghalamkari added she was sorry but was doing it because she was concerned if the pharmacy closed before she got there residents wouldn't get drugs, like antibiotics before the next day.
The manager added if banned she would have to take taxis to the pharmacy, making it difficult.
But when asked further if there were others who could do her job, she conceded her deputy manager did fill her for her during holidays each year.
After lengthy deliberations chairman of the magistrates, Simon Egerton, announced: "We do not find exceptional hardship."
He explained Ghalamkari would be given the three points and gave her a six-month ban.
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Ghalamkari was also fined £124 and ordered to pay £110 costs, and £34 victim surcharge.
She was given 28 days to pay the total, £268, in full.
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