Richard Shaw, of Kings Close, already had six points on his licence from a previous conviction when he was stopped by police in February.

Prosecuting, Ros Clark told magistrates at Bury St Edmunds that Shaw, who is based at RAF Honington, gave police insurance documents that had expired four months earlier.

Although he admitted driving without insurance, Shaw told the court he did not realise his cover had expired.

Magistrates endorsed Shaw's licence with seven points, which made him liable for disqualification under the totting rule.

However, they accepted his exceptional hardship plea – that he needed to drive his father, who has Parkinson's Disease, to hospital for regular appointments – and allowed him to keep his licence.

Shaw told the court that his patrol duties also required him to drive.

His superior officer, Flying Officer Mark Wareing, said if Shaw was banned from driving it would restrict his military capability.

Shaw was also fined £420 and ordered to pay £60 costs and £15 victim surcharge.