LUCKLESS Linda Adelmann nursed her sick mother, got struck by a mystery virus, comforted her jobless partner and lost her home in a fire…all in the space of a year.

LUCKLESS Linda Adelmann nursed her sick mother, got struck by a mystery virus, comforted her jobless partner and lost her home in a fire…all in the space of a year.

But her luck turned after magistrates took pity on her for speeding and refused to ban her from driving.

Adelmann faced a possible ban after a speed camera caught her doing 78 mph in a 50 mph zone on the A140 at Coddenham, Patricia Doggitt told South East Suffolk Magistrates.

The 53-year-old had already clocked up seven points on her licence through two speeding offences in June 2001 and February this year.

Graphic designer Adelmann, represented by Hugh Rowland, took to the stand to plead exceptional hardship in a bid to prevent disqualification.

Magistrates heard she lives in a remote area in Dorset and relies heavily on her licence to rebuild her business and life after her 19 year relationship broke down.

The breakdown followed a "horrendous" year in 1999 which started when she picked up a virus infection in China and was ill for two months. Doctors were unable to find a cure.

A string of problems followed.

The same year Adelmann, previously of Lower Road, Britford, Salisbury, nursed her mother, from Peterborough, through serious ill health and in December saw her beloved home burn to the ground.

She moved into her current home in Newton Gate, Dorset, in August this year, which is nine miles away from the nearest railway station and 11 from the nearest shopping centre.

In sentencing bench chairman David Rowe, said the offence was aggravated by the fact Adelmann drove 28 mph above the speed limit but said the magistrates supported her exceptional hardship reasons.

Adelmann, who admitted speeding, was fined £200, given six points on her licence and ordered to pay £35 prosecution costs.