A BUILDER who was banned from driving for six months for speeding has had his appeal against sentence dismissed at Gloucester Crown Court today.

Timothy Davies, 43, of Wanswell, Berkeley, made his appeals on the grounds of exceptional hardship and that he would not be able to run his business properly if the ban was upheld.

But the appeal panel chaired by Judge William Hart ruled that he was someone who could afford private transport and dismissed it.

Prosecutor Ian Fenny said on March 14 last year Davies was caught by speed camera when he was doing 44mph in a 30mph zone in his Land Rover Freelander on the B4060 at Wotton-under-Edge.

The case came before magistrates in February this year because he had three previous speeding convictions - on September 12, 2006, January 12, 2007 and February 6 last year, the court heard.

He was convicted, fined £400 and disqualified for six months, said Mr Fenny.

When asked what would happen if the driving disqualification was upheld, Davies said: "I really don't know how I'm going to be able to cope and run the business."

Judge Hart said that although he would suffer hardship, it would not be exceptional and so his appeal was dismissed.

He also agreed that Davies should pay £170 in costs, which the Crown had asked for.