A POWYS motorist has been banned from driving for six months after magistrates rejected his argument that his licence being revoked would cause him exceptional hardship.

Craig Munyaradzi Chihuri, 31, appeared at Llandrindod Wells Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, August 28, where he was banned and fined.

Chihuri, of Temple Street, Llandrindod, had previously admitted overtaking on solid white lines in his Ford Fiesta on the A44 near Walton on December 16 last year.

He had requested a court hearing because he wanted to put forward a special reasons argument for why he should not be banned – the court heard Chihuri currently has 10 points on his licence.

Representing himself, Chihuri, who works on chicken farms, told magistrates: “It was a bit silly of me, I was rushing to work.

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“I knew I was on double whites. I saw the (safety) van but it was too late to pull in. I know what I’ve done is wrong.”

He added: “I drive people to work, around five colleagues. I work for CB Jones Ltd and we travel over the UK, from Anglesey, to Brighton, York, Bristol and Lincoln.

“A ban would make it harder for colleagues to get around. I wouldn’t lose my job, I live alone so I don’t support anyone.

“My points might suggest the type of driver I am but that’s not me, I just had a bad year last year.”

Magistrates told Chihuri he had “not met the criteria for an exceptional hardship” defence.

He was disqualified for six months and told to pay a £115 surcharge and £46 costs.