A SOON to be grandmother was fined and given a month driving ban for going at 51mph in a 30mph limit.

Celia Jane MacDonald, 67, of Guilsfield, Welshpool, was driving on the B4393 in Crew Green on February 25 when she was found to be 21mph over the speed limit.

She submitted a guilty plea as soon as she was able to via post and appeared before Welshpool Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, May 28.

Paul Inns, defending, said that MacDonald had “no excuse” and was driving from her home to Shrewsbury to do some shopping, the court heard.

He said that she wasn’t rushed for time but that she was just inside the 30mph zone, magistrates heard.

“Her family are well known to me,” Mr Inns said. He told the court that her daughter is “due to be induced today” (Tuesday) and that she will have duties imposed on her as a grandmother.

Mr Inns also told the magistrates that her son-in-law had been in hospital for a prolonged period.

He said that there is “hardship to Mrs MacDonald and also members of her family”.

Magistrates disqualified MacDonald from driving for 28 days. She has been fined £616, with court costs and a victim surcharge bringing the sum up to £762. MacDonald had been given no points on her licence.