A 46-year-old motorist liable for a driving disqualification under the penalty points totting up procedure has been allowed to keep his licence because of exceptional circumstances.

Richard Dobbins, of Cartref, Boncath, who was represented by Mike Reed, told magistrates in Cardigan that he worked for a wine and spirits company and a driving ban would inevitably lead to him losing his job.

He also said that he needed his driving licence to take his infirm elderly parents to hospital appointments.

Dobbins, who already had nine penalty points on his licence, admitted an offence of using a mobile telephone while driving a Ford Transit van in Cardigan town centre in January this year.

He said he was a bird watcher who travelled around 20,000 miles a year for business and pleasure.

He was fined £100 with £60 costs and £15 victim surcharge and three penalty points were imposed on his licence.