Teacher sells Porsche after he was caught driving at 95pmh up the Glenshane Pass

The court heard how Belfast based William Smyth was “detected travelling at a speed of 95mph” on the county Derry road by police at 1.10pm on August 31 last year.

Asking for leniency based on her client’s previously clean record, a lawyer for the defence told District Judge Bernie Kelly that the 27-year-old primary school teacher had “never even spoken to police until this incident”.

She told the court that Smyth’s character referees, which included the principal of the school in which he teaches, said it “was totally out of character” for her client.

Adding that the Kingsway Avenue resident sold his Porsche shortly after the incident as “he was so full of remorse”.

“He now drives a more sensible and less powerful vehicle,” she added, arguing against a ban as her client needs a car for work.

Passing sentence Judge Kelly said: “He lives in Belfast and works in Belfast. It’s the only part of Northern Ireland that is chockablock with public transport.

She went on to say she could see how a person might speed going down the Glenshane pass, but added: “Up is a much more difficult exercise. You have to keep your foot on the accelerator.”

Judge Kelly fined the P6 teacher £200 for speeding, adding a £15 offenders levy and banned him from driving for four weeks.

Smyth was later granted leave to appeal on a bail of £200.