Defence lawyer hopes 107mph motorist's driving ban does not impact with new role with 'internationally renowned artist'
A defence lawyer for a sound engineer caught speeding at 107mph hoped a driving ban would not impact his client starting a new role with an "internationally renowned artist" in January.
Peter Michael Breen (39), of Newtownbreda Road, Belfast, was detected in a Volkswagen Golf in a 70mph zone - the Lisnevenagh Road dual-carriageway between Antrim town and Ballymena - on October 11 this year. He pleaded guilty to an excess speed charge.
A defence lawyer told Antrim Magistrates Court, sitting in Ballymena on Tuesday, the speed was "uncomfortably, dangerously, high" and although the defendant knew he was in excess of the speed limit, when shown the actual speed he was shocked he was going so fast.
He said the defendant a sound engineer was taking equipment from the Millennium Forum - in Derry/Londonderry - to Ballymena "in preparation for another event that was due to take place".
The lawyer said it was 12.25am and the roads were "considerably emptier than they would have been during the day".
He said the defendant spends a lot of time "driving on tour in England and also transporting equipment and the loss of his licence is going to have significant consequences".
The lawyer said the sound engineer is "due to to go on tour for the rest of the month in December" when he is not required to drive during the course of that tour "but he is due to start a new role as production manager with an internationally renowned artist in January and the inability to drive may jeopardise that position".
District Judge Nigel Broderick said: "Unfortunately I do too many of these cases. Anyone who travels in excess of 100mph is creating a danger on our roads."
The defendant was banned from driving for a month and was fined £200.