Two month ban for Mercedes driver caught at 110mph

A motorist caught driving at 110mph has claimed he did not see how fast he was driving because his windscreen washer tank was empty.

Jack McMahon was travelling on the M90 when he was clocked at high speed in his Mercedes E class car.

A solicitor acting for the 27-yearold said the vehicle’s digital speed display had been overridden by a warning light for the washer bottle.

Yesterday, McMahon was banned from the roads for two months after a sheriff heard he needed his licence to attend courses relating to his profession in the off-shore industry.

Deputy fiscal Nicola Gillespie told Perth Sheriff Court: “The time of the offence was 7.40pm and the accused was stopped in his Mercedes E class, which was doing 110mph.

“The conditions were clear and dry, with good visibility. Traffic flow was light.”

Solicitor John McLaughlin, defending, said McMahon had passed his driving test at the age of 17. He said: “He’s held a driving licence for 10 years. He has three live points on it, but those are not for an analogous offence.

“His car has a digital speedometer. He had failed to fill his washer bottle and that came up as a warning light on his dashboard, which then didn’t show his speed.”

He added that McMahon was travelling home from the north of Scotland following a period of work.

He said that McMahon also relied on his licence to help his ex-partner with childcare for their son and to help care for his father, who has spinal problems.

Mr McLaughlin added although McMahon’s employment as a rope access painter and blaster was not at immediate risk, it might be if he was unable to travel for essential training.

McMahon, of Stockton-on-Tees, pled guilty to driving at 110mph on the M90 Edinburgh to Perth road between junctions 7 and 6 on April 13.

Sheriff Pino di Emidio banned McMahon from the roads for two months and fined him £400.