No ban for 100mph speeder

Anger from road safety charity after man who was banned in 2010 is allowed to keep licence Amotorist whodrove at speeds of up to 100mph on a busy Peterborough road has avoided a driving ban – prompting criticism from a road accident charity.

By KenMcErlain ken. mcerlain@ peterboroughtoday. co. uk Twitter: @ PTKenMcErlain Stephen Mitchell ( 26) of Barley Mews, Peterborough, was clocked by police driving at speeds of up 100mph on the Frank Perkins Parkway on October 8 last year.

Mitchell, whowasdrivinga Renault Clio Sport, also accelerated up close to other vehicles in front of him and flashed his headlights.

Ashe approached the busy Eyeroundabout, Mitchellsped at 60mph in a 40mph zone as traffic lights ahead turned to red. He then moved across a lane and braked sharply before stopping.

Mitchell appeared at Peterborough Magistrates ’Courton Friday and pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention.

The court heard t hat Mitchell had been given a six month driving ban for a totting offencein2010, butsincethen his record had been clean.

District Judge Ken Sheraton said: “This sort of driving should result in a ban, but givenyour past record I amgoing to give you penalty points together with a fine.”

Mitchell was docked eight points on his driving licence and ordered to pay a fine of £ 280, as well as costs of £ 70 and a £ 28 surcharge.

FrankiHackett, campaigns officer at accident charity Brake said: “It is shocking to hear of drivers who take terrible risks escaping driving bans and getting away with remarkably low penalties.”

Prosecutor Anthea Harris said: “Officers saw the carj oin the Parkway at junction two and it accelerated quickly.

“The car was travelling at 95 to 100mph and continued at this speed for 0.2 miles before slowing at junction three.

“Thecarfollowed close behind the vehicle in front, it was about 12 feet away and flashing its headlights. Later the car went up to 85 to 90mph and was again close to a car.

“As the car approached the Eye roundabout it was doing 60mph in a 40mph zone. It was in lane three of a four lane section and approaching red traffic lights, but showed nosigns of braking. At the last minute the car moved into lane four and braked heavily.”

Mitchell, who represented himself in court, said: “It was one moment of silliness. A friend lent me the car and I got a bit excited.

“I’ve just got a new job and mygirlfriend is pregnant, losing my licence would be a big problem.”

Stephen Mitchell