A MAN has avoided a driving ban for speeding in a goods vehicle as he has "considerable debts" to pay.

Russell Gill, 48, of Clitheroe Street, in Skipton was sentenced for exceeding the speed limit for a goods vehicle, at Harrogate Justice Centre last Tuesday.

The offence was proved by single justice procedure at an earlier hearing, on February 6 this year.

He was caught going more than 50mph in a white LDV V80 van on the Settle Bypass (A65), near Carr Beck on May 23 last year - which is over the maximum speed for a vehicle of that class under the Road Traffic Regulation Act, according to court records.

The court handed Gill three points on his driving licence but he escaped a totting disqualification due to his mitigating circumstances.

Court records show that if Gill lost his job it would affect his ability to support his dependents, including his daughter who he takes to school, and he would also lose the ability to "service the considerable debts he has accrued".

Gill was ordered to pay the courts £510 in total.

This included a £364 fine and a surcharge of £146 to fund victim services.

He will pay the total in £40 monthly instalments from May 21 this year.