THERE was a smack of desperate wheedling about the imploring of Bury magistrates not to ban Blackburn Rovers star Keith Gillespie from driving after he was done for tearing along the M66 at speeds of up to 102mph in his Jaguar XJ8.

Though the bench was told a ban would hardly cause financial problems for the high-earning Northern Ireland international, they also heard that he would still suffer "exceptional hardship" - and that he would not be the only one affected.

For, it was said, Gillespie was much in demand for charity and community events. Also, he needed a vehicle to get to and from Manchester Airport for fortnightly visits to his family in Ulster. And, as he lived alone in a largely rural area, he would not only find it difficult to travel to functions easily, he would also suffer similar problems getting to and from training and attending Ewood Park on match days.

None of this cut any ice. The player was banned for six months as well as being fined £800, with £35 costs.

And with ten penalty points on his licence already - several for previous speeding offences - such a result was probably all the player could expect. No doubt many consider Gillespie deserved all that he got as well.

But contrast his ban with the lack of one for the motorcyclist up before the magistrates at Blackburn three weeks earlier after also being caught doing 102mph on a motorway - this time, the M65.

Christopher Marshall told the court that while he had been concentrating on his driving he had not been paying sufficient attention to his speed - to some tune, I'd say. The bench also heard that he used his 600cc Honda to avoid traffic jams when travelling to work in Manchester's Moss Side and a ban would affect his ability to do his job - as a police chief inspector.

This demonstration of the ability of magistrates to use their discretion in such cases will, I am sure, have disabused many of the popular belief that being caught doing 100mph or more attracts a virtually automatic ban.

But what is it that makes a difference?

The motorway on which you are caught doing over a ton? What you were driving? The bench you happen to come up before?

Or your job?

I only ask.