Dad Refuses To Sell £37k Luxury Car But Tells Court He's 'Too Broke For Taxis'

The 42-year-old, who is the director of three businesses, has refused to sell his BMW, citing 'exceptional hardship,' stating that he requires it since he is on benefits and cannot afford to pay for taxis to drive to the gym or visits to see his mother and daughter.

In court, prosecutor Matt Routly said: ''You still have that BMW. You could sell that and that would raise quite a lot of funds?”

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''It could pay for quite a lot of taxis and buy you a bicycle. That's very often the price people have to pay when they speed all the time."

Crawford, who formerly owned a Mercedes AMG and an Audi, told the court he had health problems and was partially paralyzed for a year after being stabbed in the back in 2014.

He has subsequently regained use of his legs after a period of physiotherapy, but he says he can't walk far and still needs regular visits to the gym for both his physical and mental wellbeing.

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When asked why he could not simply sell his car he replied: "A driving ban would run out after six months and then I would not have a car. I am not working.”

"I am on benefit for people with medical conditions."

When asked how he got to the gym, he said: "It's in the middle of nowhere on an industrial estate."

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"I would have to a get a taxi to the bus stop and then a bus and then the same on the way back. I would only be able to do that once a week because of the price."

When asked if he uses trains or buses to visit his mother in Blackley, Manchester, he said: "Taxis, trains, and buses would be my modes of transportation. I'd have to limit myself to going once a week."

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He also stated that he would not be able to see his daughter because many trains and cabs would be required.

He confirmed he had a business, but claimed he suffered a nervous breakdown during the lockdown and that his BMW was now his only possession.

Credit: Cavendish Press

Crawford was prohibited from driving for six months, fined £120, and ordered to pay £136 in costs and victim surcharge after the magistrates rejected his pleas.

"We have considered everything very carefully," chair of the bench Christina Hills, said.

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"We do not think there are sufficient grounds on this occasion to grant a non-application of the disqualification rules on the exceptional hardship basis.''

Crawford intends to take the ban to a crown court judge for review.

The suspension was put on hold pending the outcome of the hearing.

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