AN East Brent man has avoided a driving ban for family reasons after he was caught speeding on the M5 while a temporary 50mph speed restriction was in place.

Paul Anthony Michael Homan, of Toomer Close, drove a Nissan at 65mph between junction 24 (Bridgwater south) and junction 23 (Bridgwater north) on May 19, 2021.

Homan, 36, admitted the offence under the single justice procedure on March 30, 2022.

The procedure allows people charged with minor offences to have their cases decided by a single magistrate based on papers alone without going to court.

Homan was handed three penalty points by a magistrate in North Somerset on Tuesday, June 28, taking him over the totting up limit for disqualification.

He was not banned from driving because of “mitigating circumstances” related to the impact it would have on his children.

Homan was fined £207 and ordered to pay £90 in court costs and a £34 victim surcharge.

He has until Tuesday, July 26 to pay his £331 court bill.

His guilty plea was considered when he was sentenced.