A 19-year-old Warwick man was spared a year road ban so he could continue his job and go to college.

Tyahn Browne was clocked by Police on February 27 this year driving at 85 km along Middle Road in Southampton.

When he was stopped Browne told Police: "I am trying to make time to work" according to the court prosecution, and he already had 16 demerit points on his licence.

Yesterday, in Magistrates' Court, however, Browne argued that he was speeding because his mother had suffered a seizure and he needed to drive for his job and raise money for school in September.

He said: "I have a 12-year-old sister and my mother had fallen because of a seizure. She is less mobile and not able to drive anymore.

"I have to ride bikes to TCD to get bikes tested. I am an apprentice and I take bikes to TCD and get them passed.

"That's my job. That's what I get paid for and my momma and dad don't have a lot of money.

"I am sorry for speeding. I wouldn't lie I don't think that's funny. Could you just bear with me I really need this job. I need to help out and pay for things.

"I don't want to stay around here longer with all the craziness going on and if I got off the road I don't feel safe at the bus stop at all."

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner warned Browne that the speed he was going was far to high for Bermuda's roads, but did not want to overly punish the young man for his actions.

He said: "I do have discretion whether or not I should disqualify you. And if I disqualify you and it would cost you to make you lose your job and deny you an opportunity to make a living then I will be more seriously punishing you than the average person that comes before these courts.

"In this economic climate I am loathe to cause anyone to lose their job and in the circumstances I am not going to disqualify you."

He then fined Browne $500 and 10 demerit points.