A FATHER who failed to pay £12,000 child maintenance has been given a suspended driving ban.

Richard Farley, aged 44, formerly of Westhoughton, but now of Levensgrave Close, Hindley, appeared at Bolton Magistrates Court yesterday.

Farley formerly ran a scaffolding business and drove a BMW, but neglected to pay child maintenance for four children between 2000 and 2007.

He was given a liability order to pay in 2006 but did not, and yesterday magistrates imposed a tougher penalty.

Farley’s business has suffered in the recession he declared himself bankrupt in September. The court was told he lives with his wife, two step children, and two children of their own. The court heard that his £200,000 house is to be repossessed because he is eight months in arrears with payments.

Paul Darnborough, prosecuting for the Child Support Agency, said: “He appears in a very difficult set of circumstances. I do not underestimate the challenge he will face putting his life back together. In 2004 he was subject to £56 a week, not an unfair amount to support four children. He was running a company in the building trade and there was money coming into the household to pay regular child maintenance and it was not paid.”

He must pay back the money at a rate of £5 a week. If he fails to make the payments the two-year driving ban, which has been suspended for two years, will be activated.