A truck driver who drove for three years without a licence has escaped disqualification despite collecting 12 penalty points - he told Solihull magistrates he would lose his job if he was banned.
Warren Beale was fined £150 after admitting driving without the correct licence and having no insurance. His employer, Fred Steele (Hansworth) of Smethwick, West Midlands, was fined £450 with £100 costs for permitting Beale to drive without the correct licence and insurance.
Director Aden
Staton admitted that the firm had failed to check Beale's licence when he was given the job three years ago: "The transport manager who employed him has since resigned we've now revised our system for checking drivers' licences."
Beale told the court he believed he was qualified to drive trucks.
Dominic Green, prosecuting for Vosa, said the offences came to light after Beale's truck was stopped for a roadside check at the A456 at Quinton, Birmingham.
One of the magistrates told Beale: "We have no alternative but to impose six penalty points as you already have two previous offences of speeding, you are facing a driving disqualification. But he added: "We believe the latest offences weren't committed wilfully and we've decided not to disqualify you."
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