A MUM has escaped a driving ban because her son would lose the chance to train with his professional football team.

Niki Pitts, 41, of Springfield Road, in the Boroughbridge area of York, faced a charge of speeding over 30mph on a restricted road.

She appeared at Harrogate Magistrates' Court yesterday (February 2) to face sentencing, after being proved guilty by Single Justice Procedure on December 7 last year.

The 41-year-old drove a black Ford Transit VRM south on Wetherby Road at a speed exceeding 30mph.

Ms Pitts was ordered to pay £250 and was given three points on her licence.

But the mother was not handed a totting disqualification (issued to drivers who incur 12 penalty points within a three-year period), due mitigating circumstances.

The court found Ms Pitts would experience exceptional hardship, if she was to be disqualified from driving.

This includes her son losing the opportunity to train with his professional football team and would also impact Ms Pitts's mum, who relies on the defendant for care and transport to appointments.

The court also said: "Loss of employment will be caused to employees of company as they would not be able to attend work or college resulting in loss of employment."

The £250 Ms Pitts has been ordered to pay includes, a £160 fine and costs of £90.

She must pay this off by March 2.