A man who was caught using a mobile phone while behind the wheel has escaped a driving ban - because he might lose his job. 

Matthew Alan Walker, of Kings Close in Thame, was caught using a handheld mobile phone while driving on Oakley Road in Chinnor on October 21 last year. 

According to checks on the registration plate provided in court documents, the vehicle he was driving at the time was a Citroen Berlingo.

In a hearing at Wycombe Magistrates' Court on July 5, Walker, 33, who had earlier pleaded guilty to using a phone while driving, was sentenced. 

He was fined £195, ordered to pay costs of £110 and £34 to fund victim services - a total of £339. 

But he managed to escape a driving ban for the crime because of mitigating circumstances. 

He said he would lose his job which would have an impact on his family and he could lose his home if he could not pay rent. 

Instead, his driving licence was endorsed with six points.