Caught driving BMW at 123mph on A1

A car dealer who '˜put the boot down' in a powerful BMW vehicle was driving at 123mph on the A1, Banbridge Magistrates Court has heard.

Gerard Thompson (28), of Tudor Oaks in Banbridge, admitted a charge of driving at excess speed.

The court heard that on February 18 this year on the A1 dual carriageway, police detected a BMW car travelling at speed.

The car was being driven at 123mph while within the 70mph zone from Banbridge towards Newry, the court was told.

When spoken to, Thompson apologised and said he did not realise the speed he had been driving at.

A solicitor representing the defendant said this was a very powerful vehicle.

His client, who is a car dealer, had ‘put the boot down’ on a clear stretch of the road, the solicitor told the court.

District Judge Eamonn King said 123mph was ‘far too fast’ and there was only one outcome.

He fined Thompson £500, and also ordered him to pay a £15 offender’s levy.

The defendant was also banned from driving for three months.

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