ELY businessman Tom Peters escaped a driving ban this week, after telling magistrates that Waterside Antiques in the city might be forced to fold if he could not continue to drive. Peters – who admitted riding a motorbike at 94 mph at East Fen Drove in So

ELY businessman Tom Peters escaped a driving ban this week, after telling magistrates that Waterside Antiques in the city might be forced to fold if he could not continue to drive.

Peters - who admitted riding a motorbike at 94 mph at East Fen Drove in Soham - said the company relied to him to attend house clearances.

"I have five members of staff and another 50 businesses rent a pitch from me," he explained to city magistrates. "I am dependant on my licence, to clear houses every day.

"I would risk the whole business going down if I could not drive."

Peters, 31, of Appletree Grove, Burwell, was caught speeding on his motorbike along the A142 at East Fen Drove on July 30. He could have been banned from driving for six months under the "totting up" provisions which come into force when a motorist collects 12 or more points.

"I was overtaking, I accelerated too quickly, and was not really using my brain," Peters explained to the court.

He was fined �100 with six points put on his licence; and must pay �35 costs and a �15 surcharge.