A FATHER-of-four has been allowed to keep his driving licence, despite being pulled over by police when driving a vehicle described as so unroadworthy that it had holes in the floor.

Romanian man Florin Marcu, 26, was stopped in Forden, near Welshpool, on the afternoon of October 1, driving a Ford Transit van that was severely corroded. The van belonged to his brother, a scrap metal dealer, and was dangerously laden with items including washing machines, boilers, a bike, microwave and car batteries.

There were also lengths of copper piping that Marcu had stolen from outside a property in Knighton. Theft was one of five previous offences Marcu had pleaded guilty to at Welshpool Magistrates’ Court.

However, the bench sitting at his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, November 8, accepted his exceptional hardship argument and he was allowed to keep his licence – despite the fact he already had nine points on it.

Prosecutor Helen Tench said police were initially tipped off to Marcu by a Knighton resident, who had seen the defendant on door bell camera footage taking copper piping from outside her property.

“It was 1.30pm when a grey Ford vehicle stopped outside an address in Knighton; the defendant knocked on the door then went to the side of the property then back to the vehicle with a piece of copper piping,” said Mrs Tench.

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“Later on, in Churchstoke, the same vehicle pulled up at an address, a witness spoke to the driver, who he said he was there for scrap metal. In Forden 30 minutes later, police were patrolling when they saw a vehicle acting suspiciously.

“They stopped it and the vehicle was checked and seized. Three lengths of copper pipe were seized from the rear of the vehicle. There were other lengths of cable, car batteries in the footwell, washing machines, boilers, a push bike and microwaves in the back.

“The vehicle had a defective tyre, there was a loose car battery that was heavy and the overall load was insecure. Checks showed the vehicle had passed an MOT in March but with advisory warnings issued.

“Officers tested the handbrake, which worked, but the vehicle began to roll backwards. Areas of the vehicle were severely corroded, including holes in the floor of the van.

“The defendant said he used the vehicle for personal use. He said his brother was ill so he had done him a favour by collecting items. He said he was not a scrap dealer and wasn’t using the vehicle for any other purpose than it was permitted to be used for.”

At a previous hearing in October, Marcu had admitted using a vehicle in a dangerous condition, theft, carrying on business as a scrap metal dealer without a licence, driving without insurance and using a vehicle with defective tyres.

Acting for Marcu, of Merridale Street West, Wolverhampton, Owain Jones said: “He had recently bought the vehicle and was not aware of its condition.

"His wife, who is with him in court, does not drive or have a job, and he is the breadwinner in the family. He is a cleaner, he cleans commercial buildings, and they need to be cleaned before they open, so he is up early in the morning and often in work before 6am.

“He earns approximately £200 a week, with benefits covering his rent. With his work he can travel to Birmingham, Coventry or Telford.”

Speaking via the aid of an interpreter, Marcu said: “If I lost my licence I would be unable to support my family, we couldn’t pay for bills and food.

“I have four children to look after, all of whom are six or under.”

Marcu said he also sends some money home to his relatives in Romania.

Magistrates told Marcu they accepted that any ban would cause him exceptional hardship and they would allow him to keep his licence, but they warned him he cannot use exceptional hardship again if he gets into trouble in the future.

They fined him a total of £1,121 – £200 each for theft and for driving without insurance; £120 each for using a vehicle in a dangerous condition and with defective tyres; and £100 for carrying on business without a licence. The financial penalty also includes having to pay a £296 surcharge and £85 costs.

They also ordered the Ford Transit to be scrapped.