Autistic man avoids driving ban

A 20-year-old man with a form of autism has narrowly avoided a driving ban after he pleaded guilty to driving at double the speed limit.Ben Manning was spotted driving at 60mph along the Gapton Hall Road at Bradwell on the night of June 2.

A 20-year-old man with a form of autism has narrowly avoided a driving ban after he pleaded guilty to driving at double the speed limit.

Ben Manning was spotted driving at 60mph along the Gapton Hall Road at Bradwell on the night of June 2.

On Tuesday, Yarmouth Magistrates Court heard Manning, of Low Road, Norton Subcourse, was speeding along the 30mph stretch of road as he was trying to get home in time for a curfew imposed by his father.

His father had set up the curfew as part of a set of strict routines to help him cope with his Aspergers Syndrome which means he finds it hard to socialise.

Manning, who works for Great Yarmouth-based GeoAcoustics, pleaded guilty to speeding and was given five points on his licence.

As he had only recently passed his driving test he should normally have been given six points on his licence - which would have meant his licence would be revoked and he would have to do a re-test.

However, his solicitor Rob Pollington successfully argued that he should not get six points on his licence as he would find it very hard to get to jobs working on naval bases.

Mr Pollington said: “He realised he was late and was driving home as quickly as he could - unfortunately for him that meant he was speeding.”

Manning was also fined �175 and ordered to pay �60 costs.