Let-off for 29-point takeaway driver

A TAKEAWAY driver found using an unsafe car has been given 18 penalty points in one hit, but is still allowed to get behind the wheel.

Ala Udin pleaded guilty to a string of motoring offences when he appeared before magistrates in Aberystwyth, Mid Wales.

The 44-year-old father turned up to court with 11 points already on his licence and knowing that getting just one more would tip him over the ban threshold.

After confessing to driving with a defective tyre, speeding and two counts of having no insurance, Udin was handed an extra 18 points.

But JPs took pity on him after he said he would lose his job - resulting in him, his wife and their children ending up homeless because they would be unable to meet mortgage payments.

A court spokeswoman said: "At a hearing on January 16 in Aberystwyth Justice Centre, Ala Udin admitted a string of driving offences in which he was given 18 penalty points.

"No disqualification order was made following mitigating circumstances."

Udin, of Cwrt y Brenin, Ffos-y-ffin, was also ordered to pay a total of £616 in fines and costs. The points will stay on his licence for three years.

According to recent DVLA figures, only five people in Britain have been allowed to keep their licence with 30 points.

One driver is on 31 points, while two others are on 34 and 36. However, that pales into comparison with a motorist from the Liverpool area who has 45 but was allowed to carry on driving.

By Press Association reporter