Hastings Observer
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A paramedic has won a legal battle to save his job after being caught speeding.
Bradley Poole, 35, of Harbour Way, St Leonards, faced a possible driving ban after being clocked way over the limit in his wife’s car.
A disqualification could have wrecked his career as he would have been unable to drive an ambulance.
But he successfully pleaded for leniency in court.
Prosecutor Mark Kateley told Lewes magistrates: “On June 29 just after 9pm a Ford car activated a Gatso on the A27 at Ranscombe Hill at Beddingham.
“The limit is 40mph and the speed registered on this occasion was 66mph.
“Mr Poole confirmed he was the driver at the time of this incident and was not offered a fixed penalty because it was deemed his speed was too excessive.”
Poole, who had a previously clean driving licence, admitted speeding when he appeared in court on Wednesday.
Representing himself, he told magistrates: “I request leniency because I rang the courts to clarify what was going on in this case and was told I could potentially be disqualified.
“I’m a paramedic and any ban or points could directly affect my profession and I could potentially lose my job as I respond to 999 calls and drive an ambulance.
“I have no excuses for exceeding the speed limit. It was wrong.
“The road leads down to the rail crossing, and if that hazard was not there it would probably be a 60mph limit, but that’s no excuse.”
Magistrates spared Poole a driving ban and instead imposed six penalty points on his licence.