Army captain who drove at 130mph keeps his licence
He ‘needs to drive for Falklands tour’
AN ARMY officer caught speeding at 130mph in his luxury sports car has been allowed to keep his licence.
Captain James Golding, 26, was spared a ban after magis-trates heard he was about to set off for a six-month tour in the Falklands.
Army bosses told the court that losing his licence would hamper his ability to carry out his duties and could ruin his military career.
An unmarked police car followed Golding on July 9 last year as he roared down the A12 dual car-riageway at Dedham, essex reach-ing speeds of 100 to 130mph.
he had been based at Wattisham Airfield in suffolk after his return from service in Pader-born, Germany.
ipswich magistrates heard he was used to driving his Aston Mar-tin DB9, which is capable of 180mph, on German autobahns with no general speed limit.
The captain in the royal electri-cal and Mechanical engineers admitted breaking the 70mph limit in his £100,000 car.
Magistrates were given a state-ment of good character by his commanding officer, who said Golding could face disciplinary action if banned from driving.
it could lead to him facing delayed promotion for a signifi-cant period or even dismissal from the Army.
The court was told that Gold-ing’s duties in the Falklands could be compromised, and his career put at risk if he did not have a full UK driving licence.
Magistrates agreed there were exceptional circumstances and fined him £781 with six penalty points on his licence. he was also ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs and a £78 victim surcharge. The presiding magistrate said: ‘it is imperative that we articulate that driving at 100 to 130mph on any road, albeit in a car capable of reach-ing those speeds, is unacceptable. ‘it’s not the behaviour expected of any member of the public, let alone a serving British Army officer.’
suffolk Police and Crime Com-missioner Tim Passmore said: ‘While i don’t know the specific details of this case, i am shocked to hear that anyone should drive at this enormous speed on the A12.
‘i cannot understand how any-one could ever think there is an excuse for this reckless and irre-sponsible attitude.
‘ it seems Mr Golding was extremely fortunate he didn’t receive a lengthy driving ban.
‘The public message must con-tinue to be made – excess speeding is one of the fatal four and is a major cause of death and serious injuries on suffolk’s roads, and speed limits are there for a purpose.’
The ‘fatal four’ are speeding, using a mobile phone at the wheel, not wearing a seatbelt, and driv-ing while under the influence of drink or drugs.
‘Reckless and irresponsible’