A man who drove while disqualified to fund his mother’s life-saving dialysis has had his driving ban extended by the courts.

Nilthon Barrantes, 53, works as a delivery driver but had been forced to take a lower wage following a disqualification.

But he was caught working behind the wheel on April 30, a choice he said he made after sending all his savings to his sick 85-year-old mother in Peru.

Barrantes, of Lyndhurst Crescent, Swindon, pleaded guilty to driving whilst disqualified and not having insurance and was sentenced on August 15 to a further driving ban.

It was the first day Barrantes had worked while disqualified, Emma Hillier, defending, explained.

She continued: “For the first part of this disqualification he was a driver’s mate but this meant half payment.

“His mother is 85 years old, living in Peru and she needed dialysis three times a week and that was his motivation to go back to work - to pay for the dialysis.

“If he lost his licence this would have a devastating effect on him and his family in Peru.”

Barrantes’ wife appeared to pray in the courtroom, resting her head on her fists. 

She and Barrantes had used up all their savings in the first part of the disqualification and the “decision to drive was something he felt he had to do”.

Dialysis is a treatment for kidney disease, and not having it can result in unpleasant symptoms and eventually be fatal, says the NHS.

However, under guidelines, driving for payment while disqualified can mean a tougher sentence.

“He has been very emotional about losing his license and understands how serious it is to drive while disqualified”, said Hillier.

The court heard that Barrantes is the main breadwinner responsible for the mortgage and bills, and their savings are still depleted.

Kate Prince, prosecuting, explained that the police’s attention was first drawn to Barrantes, driving a Ford Transit on Exmoor Road near Westbury, as they thought he was not wearing a seatbelt, which he denies.

They found that he had been disqualified for six months in December 2022 - nearly five months before - and was without third-party insurance.

The magistrate said: “You made an active choice choosing to drive while disqualified. This was an economically founded choice with no regard for other road users.”

He handed Barrantes a 12-month community order, with 100 hours unpaid work, a £114 victim surcharge, and £85 court costs.

He is disqualified from driving for a further six months.