A MOTORIST spotted by police as he revved his engine loudly and spun his wheels in Newnham Street at Ely in the early hours of Christmas Eve escaped a driving ban this week. Ben Damps already had nine points endorsed on his licence when he appeared at Ely

A MOTORIST spotted by police as he revved his engine loudly and spun his wheels in Newnham Street at Ely in the early hours of Christmas Eve escaped a driving ban this week.

Ben Damps already had nine points endorsed on his licence when he appeared at Ely courthouse and admitted a charge of careless driving. He could have been banned from the road for six months.

But magistrates agreed that Damps could keep his licence, after hearing that he had the immediate offer of a job as a granite worktop fitter, following a period of unemployment.

"It is a pleasure to hear from someone coming into court that they have found themselves a job," said presiding magistrate Janet South.

Damps, 24, of Main Street, Littleport, was fined �50 with �35 costs and a �15 surcharge, and three points were endorsed on his licence.