A sales rep escaped a driving ban for speeding after telling magistrates he would lose his job.

John Roberts, 61, of Ravensville, Cross Hills, near Keighley, had earlier admitted speeding on the A59 Beamsley Hill on September 19.

He already had nine penalty points on his licence and was at risk of an automatic six-month ban, the court heard.

Roberts, driving a Honda Accord, was caught in a speed trap travelling at 71mph along the 50mph stretch of road, Skipton magistrates heard.

He had two convictions for speeding and one for using his mobile phone while driving, all carrying three penalty points.

Roberts said he had been driving since he was 21 and for his job as a sales rep drove up to 50,000 miles per year.

He pleaded exceptional hardship saying he had two dependent children and feared he would not be able to get work again if he lost his job.

Magistrates endorsed his licence with five penalty points and fined him £265. He was also ordered to pay £45 costs and a £15 victims surcharge.

Roberts was warned he would not be able to use the exceptional hardship argument again.