A SOUTH CRAVEN man who carries out asbestos removal for a living has been banned from driving after magistrates disagreed that he would suffer ‘exceptional hardship’ if he was to lose his licence.

Daniel Burton, 31, admitted driving a Mercedes on Keighley Road, Cowling, without third party insurance on July 17 last year.

Burton, a provisional licence holder with six penalty points already on his licence, was given another six points for the no insurance offence, taking him to the maximum 12 points and making him a ‘totter’ and liable for an automatic ban.

The court was told today (Friday) that Burton was a fully qualified asbestos remover and had worked in the industry for about seven years.

Keith Blackwell, for Burton, argued that the job he did was carried out by very few people as not many wanted to do it, and that the industry and Burton would suffer exceptional hardship if he was unable to work.

But, magistrates said they did not accept there would be exceptional hardship and because he had been previously disqualified within 10 years, banned him from driving for a year.

Burton, of Keighley Road, Cowling, was also fined £122 and was ordered to pay costs of £85 and a surcharge of £34.