Llanelli Star

Struggling family man delivered when disqualifi­ed

- Ian Lewis @IanLewis80 ian.lewis@mediawales.co.uk 07790 591150

If you wish to contact me about the health service, clean air or any other issues, email HelenMary. Jones@assembly.wales A FAMILY man with financial struggles helped deliver Chinese takeaways across Llanelli despite being banned from driving.

Jonathan Mark Hughes, of Gorsfach, Dafen, Llanelli, pleaded guilty at Llanelli Magistrate­s’ Court on Thursday to driving while disqualifi­ed and also guilty to driving without insurance.

Prosecutor Sian Cutter said the 24 year-old was stopped by police in Heol Siloh in Llanelli on October 20.

“At 10.20pm officers on patrol stopped a silver Vauxhall Astra, which was being driven by the defendant who said he was delivering food,” she WITH the Christmas period fast approachin­g, health profession­als across Wales are urging all those eligible to have their flu vaccine as soon as possible, to help them stay flu-free this winter.

There are low levels of flu circulatin­g in Wales and it is expected this will increase as we head into winter. Flu spreads very said.

“Checks on the vehicle and the driver were made and it was found he was disqualifi­ed from driving for six months as he was a totter.”

The court heard Hughes had been given the driving ban in August.

Defence solicitor Stephen John said: “My client was effectivel­y two months into his driving ban when he was stopped by police.

“He is a young man with a long-term partner and children.

“He suffers from ill health which is chronic in easily, and with the likelihood of large groups of people meeting up over the Christmas period for parties and family gettogethe­rs, the risk of spreading the virus is even greater.

The flu virus spreads via droplets which are sprayed into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Direct contact nature and this has curtailed his ability to work.

“On this night, he was asked to help out a friend, to do a favour and help deliver Chinese food.”

Mr John added that Hughes had been struggling financiall­y also, which is why he agreed to deliver the food.

He added: “He had owned the cars prior to the ban being in place but effectivel­y he had four months left to go before he could drive again.”

District judge agreed for a probation report to be carried out into Hughes’ circumstan­ces and told him: “You were driving two months after being given a ban.

“You were going to various with contaminat­ed hands or surfaces can also spread infection. It can spread rapidly.

Ros Jervis, director of public health for Hywel Dda University Health Board, is urging people in risk groups who haven’t had their flu vaccine yet this winter to make sure they get their flu vaccine soon, to protect themselves locations over the course of the evening, doing short and repeated journeys, driving for financial reward.

“This is a serious matter.”

The probation report heard Hughes was remorseful for his actions and had foolishly agreed to deliver the takeaways.

Judge James ordered Hughes to carry out a 12-month community order involving 160 hours of unpaid work.

He was disqualifi­ed for driving for 12 months and told to pay £85 court costs and £85 victim surcharge.

There was no separate penalty for having no insurance but his licence will be endorsed. and others around them this Christmas. She said: “Flu can cause serious complicati­ons and even lead to death.”

There are 186,000 people in Wales suffering from chronic respirator­y health conditions, including those with chronic obstructiv­e pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma and other lung conditions.

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