A MOTHER who made a mercy dash for her disabled son with a life-threatening illness is counting the cost after magistrates dished out a £110 penalty.

A MOTHER who made a mercy dash for her disabled son with a life-threatening illness is counting the cost after magistrates dished out a £110 penalty.

Patrice Connard, told magistrates the journey was a matter of "life or death" for her child who suffers from a serious condition and had run out of medication.

She admitted failing to produce a MoT certificate, insurance and driving licence at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court, Ipswich.

Connard was stopped in Nacton Road, Ipswich, and asked to produce her documents, but failed to do so, prosecutor Anita Addison told magistrates.

The 22-year-old appeared in the dock for failing to attend court when required.

Representing herself, Connard told magistrates she had sent a letter asking the court to deal with the case in her absence.

Referring to the journey she told magistrates: "My son was really ill and needed medication. It was a matter of life or death. I had to get his medication otherwise he would have died."

She made the life-saving dash to her home on the afternoon of May 17 after she was at her mother's house and the medication had run out.

"I was wrong for driving," said Connard, who has a disability allowance for her son. "But at the end of the day he is my child. My child is my priority and he comes first."

Connard, of Hilton Road, Ipswich, declined pleading special reasons because she wanted the case to be dealt with quickly.

Bench chairwoman Jacqueline Holmes fined her £50 for not insuring her vehicle and gave her six penalty points.

She was also fined £20 for not having an MoT certificate and £20 for not driving in accordance with a driving licence.

In addition, Connard was ordered to pay £20 prosecution costs.