A WELLINGTON woman has escaped a driving ban for an alleged speeding offence after magistrates heard her mental health was suffering from a particular condition.

The woman, whom the Wellington Weekly is not naming because of her vulnerability, appeared in Taunton Deane Magistrates Court accused of failing to provide details of a vehicle driver when requested by the police to do so on March 26 this year.

Prosecuting solicitor Mia Pitt said the speeding case against the woman was proven under the ‘single justice procedure’, which does not require a court hearing, in October of last year.

Chairman of the bench Nicholas Allan fined the woman £180 and ordered her to pay a victim fund surcharge of £72, but did not make her contribute to the costs of the legal case because of her limited means.

She was allowed to pay the financial penalties in instalments of £40 per month, starting in August.

Mr Allen said the woman’s driving licence would be endorsed with six penalty points.

However, he said she would not be disqualified because of the mitigating factors in the case.

Mr Allen heard the woman suffered from fibromyalgia, which impacted on her mental health and meant that without her driving licence she would not be to leave her home, while the condition would also prevent her from being able to use public transport.

He was also told the woman had a child who had been diagnosed with ‘attention deficit hyperactivity disorder’ (ADHD).

The condition meant the youngster relied on the mother for their transport to college and would not be able to attend if the woman was disqualified from driving.

The child also could not use public transport due to the mental health condition as well as due to their limited means.