A GRANDFATHER who drove down a closed road with a workman on his bonnet has been allowed to keep his driving licence.

Trevor John Benson, from Skipwith, denied dangerous driving but pleaded guilty to careless driving, after the incident which took place in Common Road in April last year.

York Crown Court heard on Tuesday how Benson, 68, ignored a ‘Road Closed’ sign and drove his Volvo XC70 into Common Lane, and when a worker tried to stop him, claimed the road closure was illegal and drove around him.

Abdul Shakoor, prosecuting, said Benson’s vehicle was then stopped by a second site worker, and he pulled onto the grass verge to drive around him, and the court heard a third worker “spread eagled himself on the bonnet to stop him”, as he drove at between 10 and 15mph.

Other workers used site vehicles to ‘box in’ Benson’s car and prevent him from travelling further, and the police were called to the scene.

Nobody was injured in the incident, which Tom Gent, for Benson, said took place as he was travelling to pick up his grandchildren to take them to school.

Mr Gent said: “This was clearly careless driving, but his driving was at a very slow speed, there was no deliberate driving at anybody.

“In fact, the opposite was the case.

“Driving took place in circumstances where he had been intimidated by workmen at the site and was attempting to drive away from those who were being intimidating.”

Mr Gent told the court Benson regularly drove his grandchildren to school, and his wife was unable to drive due to a long-term illness.

Recorder of York Judge Paul Batty QC said Benson had a “hitherto impeccable character”.

He said Mr Benson no doubt “felt intimidated” by the sight of the workmen approaching the car to stop him, and he was not minded to disqualify him from driving.

He said: “I am of the view that this incident arose out of a confrontation of misunderstanding, and perhaps raised voices on both sides.

“I do not accept for a moment you intended to do anyone any harm at all.

“They were entirely sure they were in the right, and equally, you were entirely sure you were in the right. It seems to me disqualification would create real injustice for you in your personal position as full time carer for your wife.”

Benson was given six penalty points on his driving licence, fined £500 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £200.