A FATHER has avoided a driving ban because his children could become homeless in Poland.

Robert Slota, 44, of Fallowfield Gardens, in Bierley, Bradford was sentenced at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates' Court on April 19 for exceeding a temporary 50mph speed restriction on a motorway.

He pleaded guilty on January 10 and the latest court record was made available on May 2.

Slota was caught going 58mph in a black Mercedes-Benz on the westbound carriageway of the M62, between junction 28 and 26, where there is a temporary 50mph speed limit in place.

This was on July 7 last year and he was caught by an automatic camera device.

Court records show Slota's driving record was endorsed with three penalty points but he did not receive a totting-up disqualification due to mitigating circumstances.

The court heard Slota works night shifts as a forklift driver in a meat factory 28 miles from his home and being banned from driving would mean losing his job, as nobody could take him to work due to the unsociable hours.

It was said this would be detrimental as the 44-year-old financially supports his children in Poland, who live with their grandparents.

Slota's wife passed away in February and he is the sole earner for both his mortgage in the UK and where his children live in Poland, the court heard.

It was also said that the 44-year-old would be unable to get a job nearer to home as the income he has currently allows him to afford those mortgages, as well as bills and child maintenance.

The plan is for Slota's children to come back to the UK in September, but if he loses his job he would default on the houses and the children would not be able to return.

The court records said: "Therefore he would lose contact with his children and they would be homeless."

Magistrates found Slota would experience "exceptional hardship" if he were to lose his licence on those grounds.

He was also ordered to pay the courts £380.

This included a £200 fine, a surcharge of £80 to fund victim services and £100 in costs.