AN apprentice responsible for a three-car pile up has kept his licence, despite earning a total of 16 penalty points in less than three years.

Adam James Andrew Wilkinson, of Lightburn Road, Ulverston appeared at Furness Magistrates' Court yesterday, where he pleaded guilty to driving without due care an attention.

The 26-year-old electrician admitted to braking too late and causing a "concertina effect" of vehicles while driving his transit van on the A590 at Newlands on January 6 of this year.

Amy Watkin, defending, said her client was very remorseful and told the court Wilkinson needed his licence to complete his apprenticeship and because he was the sole carer for his mother who suffers a "myriad" of conditions.

District Judge Gerald Chalk said: "I am concerned you have a shocking previous record.

"You will need to change your ways and think about how you drive in the future."

Wilkinson was ordered to pay £250 compensation, £85 court costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

His licence was endorsed with six points, giving him a total of 16.