A SPEEDING motorist avoided a ban as it would have meant hardship for his family in Thailand.

Lars Nawroth, 52, of Esplanade, Burnham-on-Sea, pleaded guilty to the offence when he appeared at Taunton Magistrates' Court this week.

He was clocked driving at over 60mph in Plympton, Devon, on February 22 last year.

He was fined £150 for the offence and ordered to pay a £34 victim surcharge along with £85 costs.

He was given three points on his driving licence, which could him over the totting up level for a driving ban.

But magistrates did not impose the ban after hearing it would lead to Nawroth losing his job and causing hardship to his family and dependents in Thailand.