A NEWCASTLE Emlyn woman has been banned from the road after she admitted using a phone while driving.

Nicolle Menegalda, of Castle Terrace, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates on Monday, April 29.

Menegalda, 46, who had previously pleaded guilty to using a hand-held mobile phone while driving a Toyota Corolla on the M4 on August 10, presented an exceptional hardship application to magistrates.

She stated she needed her licence to take her son to appointments and his college classes in Cardigan, claiming buses did not always fit in with his time-table.

Sian Vaughan, prosecuting, said: “It’s more of an inconvenience than exceptional hardship because there are buses from where you live.”

Magistrates stated they did not find the exceptional hardship grounds proven, and added six penalty points to those already on Menegalda’s licence, leading to her being disqualified from driving for six months.

She was fined £40 and ordered to pay £85 costs plus a £30 surcharge.