Broke aristocrat dodges ban so he can work as Just Eat supply driver | UK | News | EUROtoday

A cash-strapped nobleman has dodged a driving ban after arguing he must ship takeaway meals for Just Eat. The future head of an historic noble household, Graham Roderick Laurence Oliphant swayed the court docket along with his plea of “exceptional hardship.”

Hailing from an historic Scottish lineage, Oliphant discovered himself on the point of a driving ban after accumulating 4 rushing tickets in fast succession. A court docket in Dundee heard how Oliphant, who has a residence close to to the Royals in Glamis, was caught driving properly over the pace restrict in Dundee on October 2, 2023.

He admitted driving at 51 mph in a 40 mph zone whereas behind the wheel of his eight-year-old Peugeot 2008. With three factors slapped on his licence for this offence, and 9 already to his title, Oliphant confronted a ban as he hit the 12-point cap.

Yet, his defence lawyer Doug McConnell argued on the distinctive hardship listening to that 69-year-old Oliphant’s aristocratic roots did not protect him from monetary woes. McConnell defined: “His address out in Glamis is remote. He earns his money through working for Just Eat, where he is a delivery driver.”

“He has a very small pension that will not cover his rent. If he is disqualified, clearly he would lose his employment. “You can inform from his title and voice and many others that he comes from a reasonably well-to-do household, however he has fallen on vey, very onerous instances and that’s his solely earnings.

“He is £25,000 in debt and has no savings. There is nothing to allow him the ability to live if he does not continue with this employment. There is no other option in respect of work at the present time.”

Oliphant advised the court docket that his first rushing offence had occurred when he was driving his estranged ex-wife to hospital and was distracted by the “toxic” nature of their relationship.

Mr McConnell stated the next three offences – together with the one being handled on the JP Court – have been dedicated whereas Oliphant was making an attempt to be a Good Samaritan to a person he met in McDonalds.

He stated: “He was looking after quite a seriously unwell man. I don’t know the real reason, but he was trying to be a Good Samaritan and looking after him.

“This man has fairly vital difficulties and my consumer allowed him to remain in his home. This man was being shuttled round by Mr Oliphant to get help.

“He was soiling himself in the car and doing various other odd and quite disgusting things, and Mr Oliphant tried to do his best. This led to stupid decisions like going slightly too fast and trying to get him places quickly. The background to the incident is unusual.”

The Justice of the Peace granted the distinctive hardship bid and allowed Oliphant to remain on the highway. She additionally fined him £100.

She stated: “I have heard the background and I am satisfied there would be exceptional hardship should you lose your licence, so you may continue to drive, but clearly it is something you need to be extremely wary of in future.”

Oliphant is the son of Reginald Godfrey Laurence Oliphant of Condie, Younger and Joan Rosalind Mary Lawrence, and the grandson of Rear-Admiral Laurence Richard Oliphant and the Hon. Adelaide Daphne Hermione Willoughby.