Hazell escapes driving ban after claiming hardship

FORMER Oldham Athletic player Reuben Hazell has escaped a driving ban — despite having enough points to be automatically disqualified.

The footballer, who was caught using a mobile phone while driving in Oldham, was spared a disqualification at Oldham Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

The defender, who played for Latics from 2007 until leaving for Shrewsbury Town this summer, successfully claimed a ban would cause him exceptional hardship.

He said in court: “I have admitted what I have done and it was irresponsible.”

Hazell, of Farcroft Grove, Handsworth, Birmingham, claimed his journey to his new club’s ground, Greenhous Meadow, was a 110-mile round trip.

The court also heard no other arrangements could have been made for him to get to work and it would make his life “difficult”.

His wages were not heard in court, but Hazell claimed he could not have afforded a driver if he was banned.

Hazell was caught by a police officer speaking into his mobile phone while driving his Volkwagen Golf in Wellington Street, Oldham, on March 8.

During his stint at Boundary Park, Hazell, who still lived in Birmingham at the time, admitted: “I would commute around three times a week and I used to stay or drive back due to my young family.”

Twelve points usually means an automatic ban under the “totting up” process but courts can use their discretion if motorists argue it could cause them exceptional hardship.

The chairman of magistrates, Mrs Chetana Bhatt-Shah, said: “We find exceptional hardship and we will not disqualify you.

“You will also have 12 points on your licence, they are still there and you cannot use exceptional hardship again.”

Magistrates ordered Hazell to pay a £150 fine, £35 court costs and £15 surcharge.