A BANNED driver who ‘turned her life around’ after setting up her own charity has had her driving licence reinstated.
Rhiannon Clark, 29, was handed a three-year ban in 2022 after she was caught drug-driving twice within three days. On the second occasion, when she was caught in Workington, she had a young child on-board.
An application by Clark to have the driving ban lifted after two years was granted by magistrates in Workington, who were told she was ‘a success story of rehabilitation’.
Cumbria Police had opposed the application.
In a statement submitted to the court, Clark said she had set up a charity called ‘No Rainbows Without Rain’ which supports disadvantaged families, domestic abuse survivors and people who are seriously unwell across Cumbria.
The charity runs a Secret Santa appeal which provides Christmas gifts to struggling families. The charity also provides birthday presents for parents who can’t afford them and delivers furniture, clothing and food parcels to anyone who is struggling.
Clark said she was struggling to meet the demands of the charity due to her not having a driving licence. She was having to rely on members of the public.
She said being given her driving licence back would mean that she could drive to any area in the county and would have no limitations on who she could help.
Clark, of Far Moss, Northside, Workington, described herself as ‘the success story of rehabilitation’ and said she had turned her life around. She said she was ‘no longer angry’ with what the world had offered her.
The defendant said she had reduced her cannabis use even though she was eligible for medicinal cannabis. She said she was no longer using the drug every day but had used some cannabis oil over Christmas.
After granting the application to remove Clark’s driving ban, presiding magistrate Jeff Forster said: “We are impressed with your conduct and the character you have shown.”
Mr Forster said Clark had given the court a ‘very good reason’ to restore her licence and added that this was the first time he had granted an application to remove a driving ban.
A visibly delighted Clark said: “Thank you so, so much.”