A TAXI company boss who knocked down a pensioner, has had his sentence reduced.

Joseph Knowles, aged 59, of Ashton Road, Golborne, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention in May, but appeared at Bolton Crown Court on Friday to appeal against the sentence.

He received a six month driving ban under the totting up procedure and appealed against the sentence, citing exceptional hardship.

He owned his own taxi company and said he needed to drive to continue with his business.

Recorder Margaret Rylands, sitting with two magistrates, as an appeal court, reducing his number of driving penalty points from nine to six.

However, as Knowles already had six points from two previous speeding convictions, he still remains banned under the totting up procedure.