Former Aston Villa footballer Glenn Whelan has escaped a ban for dashing – as a result of he must hold driving 156 miles to play in matches.
The midfielder, 38, was clocked doing 49mph in a 40mph on the A55 at Aber, close to Bangor, north Wales whereas coming back from Eire to see his sick mom.
Prosecutors instructed Mould magistrates’ court docket that Whelan had 9 penalty factors on his licence, ‘all being dashing issues’.
However the participant’s lawyer mentioned if he have been to lose his licence it could price him round £200 to journey by practice every time he went to play for his League Two aspect Bristol Rovers, which would not be price doing the journey.
Bristol Rovers midfielder Glenn Whelan pleaded ‘distinctive hardship’ to maintain his licence after he was caught doing 49mph in a 40mph close to Bangor, Wales
Paul Reddy, defending, mentioned there had been a ‘momentary lapse of focus’ at roadworks the place Whelan was caught by a velocity digicam.
He added that Whelan on common drove 30,000 miles a 12 months.
Whelan admitted dashing however pleaded ‘distinctive hardship’ to maintain his licence so he might drive to matches.
The previous Republic of Eire participant had 5 months remaining of his current one-year contract.
However the participant’s lawyer mentioned if he have been to lose his licence it could price him round £200 to journey by practice every time he went to play for his League Two aspect Bristol Rovers, which would not be price doing the journey
‘He desires to play so long as he can,’ the lawyer remarked.
Mr Reddy mentioned Whelan, incomes £4,000 to £5,000 a month, can be unable to get residence by practice at evening following mid-week video games. He was additionally the coach for his son’s Sunday soccer workforce.
‘I request you think about giving him an additional lifeline, permitting him to maintain his licence,’ Mr Reddy mentioned to the magistrates.
Mould Magistrates’ Court docket chairman John Perera fined the footballer £307 with £144 prices and three factors. The Justice of the Peace mentioned Whelan had an ‘uncommon’ way of life
‘He can be an especially cautious driver for the foreseeable future.’
Court docket chairman John Perera fined the footballer £307 with £144 prices and three factors. The Justice of the Peace mentioned Whelan had an ‘uncommon’ way of life.
If he have been banned, it might have an effect on his son’s soccer workforce and jeopardise his potential function as a player-coach at Rovers.
However the distinctive hardship argument could not be re-used for 3 years. ‘Ensure you drive very fastidiously,’ the Justice of the Peace warned Whelan.