A DRIVER has been banned after he was caught veering between lanes on the M5 while using a phone behind the wheel.
Danny Hodgkins, aged 28, appeared at Worcester Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (June 17) charged with using a handheld mobile phone while driving.
The court heard that Hodgkins had been spotted using his mobile phone while driving on the M5 northbound in Worcestershire on July 4, 2025.
A police officer had seen the 28-year-old veering between lanes of the motorway and pulled him over.
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At the time of his hearing, Hodgkins had six points on his licence, and appealed to the Magistrates to not give him six more points, which would lead to a disqualification.
The self-employed carpenter explained that he would need to spend eight hours on public transport every day if he did not have the use of his van, and needed to drive to support his family.
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After deliberating, the Magistrates decided his appeal did not qualify as exceptional hardship.
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They gave him six more points, which resulted in a six-month driving disqualification, and a fine of £630.
Hodgkins, of Shears Drive, Salisbury, Wiltshire, was also ordered to pay a £213 victim surcharge and £130 in costs.
Head Magistrate John Hill told Hodgkins he was banned for six months and the points on his licence would reset after the six months were up.
