John French, 21, is the head chef at Royal Oak in Pett, but told Hastings Magistrates Court on Monday that he only had a provisional driving licence because he could not afford to sit his test.

French, who represented himself in court, admitted already having six penalty points on his licence and pleaded with magistrates not to ban him because without his motorcycle he would lose his job.

The court heard how French had driven into the side of a car which had indicated to turn off while riding his bike through Ore on December 11 last year.

French, of Hill Road in Fairlight, said: "I was not speeding. I just did not see the car in front of me indicating."

Graham Frost, chairman of the bench, fined French £100 and ordered him to pay costs of £50. He also have him four penalty points - leaving him perilously close to a ban. He said: "It is up to you now to be a safe motorcyclist."