A DISTRICT judge has agreed to reduce a Penrith man’s driving ban after hearing evidence of how he has turned his life around.

At Carlisle’s Rickergate court, 29-year-old Jack Turnbull persuaded the court that his 45 month driving ban – which still had nine months to go – can now be scrapped with almost immediate effect.

The defendant, of Mardale Road, Penrith, was given the ban in May, 2019, after being convicted of his third drink driving offence – though the first of those offences was more than a decade ago, the court heard.

In court, Turnbull handed in glowing character references and described how he had impressed his current employer.

He also outlined how his mother had supported him, giving up her family home and using her “retirement fund” to buy a flat in Penrith so that he could continue working

When he was banned, his fiancée – whom he met shortly after the incident that led to his ban - had travelled “here, there and everywhere” to support him.

Questioned by District Judge John Temperley, Turnbull said that he was now also offering support to his mother’s partner, recently diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease.

Turnbull said he would dearly love to be able to offer his mother more support. Engaged to be married, he also now supported his fiancée as she cared for her mother.

Giving his ruling, District Judge Temperley said the relevant offence had been serious and he had no criticism of the court which imposed the 45-month driving ban.

But he noted that the defendant, of Mardale Road, Penrith, was a key part of his child’s life, and often needed at short notice to step in to offer support, including on occasions when the child needed to be collected unexpectedly.

The judge noted also that the defendant’s inability to drive was having a continuing impact on his mother.

“So, I am just about persuaded to grant this application,” said the district judge. “This is as much because of the knock-on effect your lack of licence has had on others.”

Noting that Turnbull had served almost three years of his ban, the district judge added: “I am persuaded that it’s proper for you to have your licence back and that will take effect immediately.

“I hope you have turned a corner.”

The judge warned the defendant that he must have his physical licence returned from the DVLA before he drives again. As he left court, Turnbull said to the judge: “I’ll probably never see you again.”