A VILLAGER has been spared a driving ban because of the "exceptional hardship" it would cause his parents.

Michael Edwin Martin, 39, of Hornbeam Close, South Wonston, near Winchester, was caught speeding twice in the last year.

On December 12 last year he drove an 18-reg Ford on the B3043 Hursley Road, Chandler's Ford, at 35mph in a 30-zone.

He was fined £283 with an £85 victim surcharge and £90 costs and three penalty points on his licence.

Then on April 1 he was snapped doing 66mph in the temporary 50-zone on the M27 eastbound between junctions 4-5 near Eastleigh whilst driving a 09-reg Vauxhall. That incurred a fine of £566 and four penalty points on his licence.

He admitted both offences but magistrates spared him a driving ban under the totting up procedure saying it would harm his parents because of his financial support for them and cause them "exceptional hardship".

A charge that on February 24 this year he failed to give information to the police about the identity of a driver believed to have committed an offence was withdrawn.