A COMPANY director successfully pleaded with magistrates not to be given a driving ban after totting up 12 points on his licence.
James Cronin managed to persuade city magistrates there were exceptional hardship reasons which meant he should not be disqualified from driving when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court.
At the start of the hearing on Friday, (January 27), the court clerk told magistrates Cronin, of Elgar Court, Martin Hussingtree, near Droitwich, previously admitted the offence of speeding.
The court heard at 7.23pm on May 18 last year, Cronin drove a Land Rover on the A449 southbound between Crossway Green and Ombersley at a speed of 57mph in a 50mph zone.
With the inevitable three points added to his licence for the offence that meant Cronin had reached 12, making him a 'totter' and facing a six-month ban.
Ryan Hodgins, defending Cronin, explained to magistrates the 34-year-old was arguing exceptional hardship reasons why he should not receive the ban.
Mr Hodgins said Cronin was "very remorseful for his actions".
He said Cronin was the director of a recruitment firm and also highlighted that last year he had raised more than £10,000 for the New Hope Children's Charity - based in Worcester - by doing the three peaks challenge.
In the witness box, Cronin told magistrates of the impact a driving ban would have.
He said he was a dad-of-one and his wife was pregnant with their second child which was due this week.
Cronin said his job meant being on 24-hour call to clients across the country "from Newcastle to Southampton", including in remote locations.
Mr Hodgins said: "If banned would your job be at risk?"
"Absolutely yes," Cronin replied.
"It would put us at risk of losing our home."
Cronin said he was relied on to take his wife to appointments, as well as his mother for her cancer treatment.
After a lengthy deliberation of the magistrates, chairman of the bench Simon Egerton announced they had found exceptional hardship due to the impact a ban would have on Cronin's family.
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The chairman warned if he was caught speeding again Cronin would not be able to rely on the same reasons to avoid a ban.
"I would advise you to be very mindful of your speed from now on," the chairman added.
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Cronin was fined £166, and told to pay victim surcharge of £34 and costs of £90.
Cronin agreed to pay the money owed in full within 30 days.
Cronin is director of Birmingham-based The Jarell Group, one of UK's largest recruitment companies.
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