Woman escapes ban because of disabled mum

A CHIGWELL woman caught speeding three times in seven days escaped a driving ban because her disabled mother relies on her to drive her around.

Baljinder Kaur, 33, of Lambourne Crescent, admitted the offences which were recorded on a speed camera on the B173 Lambourne Road last November.

Kaur told Harlow magistrates last Thursday that she would not dispute the charges because "the camera never lies".

Kaur, who is unemployed but in the process of starting her own business, had her licence endorsed with three points for each offence.

Because she already carried three points, Kaur was told that she faced a possible ban under the totting up procedure, unless she could persuade the court that this would cause her exceptional hardship.

Kaur said her severely arthritic mother depended on her to drive her to weekly physiotherapy sessions, other hospital appointments and shopping.

She argued that while not being able to drive would be personally inconvenient, the implications for her 70-year-old mother would be much more serious.

She said: "I do realise I could be disqualified but I would prefer a fine because I do have a mother who is disabled and I use the car to take her out and about.

"I don't have any other family, just me and my mother, so I can't get anyone else to drive her around."

The magistrates agreed not to impose a ban. Kaur was fined £60 for each offence and ordered to pay £35 costs.

She was also warned that with 12 points on her licence if she committed any further driving offences she would almost certainly be banned.

11:57 Thursday 1st August 2002

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