A WOMAN has avoided an immediate driving ban after she was clocked speeding for a fourth time.
Kathleen Purcell, of Gwern Lane in Hope, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Friday.
The 38-year-old had previously pleaded guilty to one offence of speeding.
Prosecutor Shaun Bartlett-Evans told the court that on September 3 last year, the defendant was clocked at 49mph in a 40 zone on the A548 at Tan Lan in Flintshire.
As Purcell already had nine points on her licence from three previous speeding matters, the offence put her at risk of an automatic ban under totting-up procedures (which occurs when a motorist accrues 12 or more penalty points).
The mum-of-three made an emotional exceptional hardship application to the court in the hope of retaining her licence.
Among the reasons were that she needed her licence to take her children to school and medical appointments, as well as the fact she is a carer for her uncle and has to take him to hospital appointments.
Purcell also told the court she has no job and is on benefits.
She added she also takes her mother for medical appointments.
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Due to all of the third parties who rely on her, the defendant was told by the court that she would not be losing her licence as her exceptional hardship application had been successful.
But she was urged to watch her speed, because the reasons she had given could not be used in the next three years should she find herself back in the dock facing a ban.
Purcell must pay a £40 fine, £16 victim surcharge and £130 costs.
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