125mph motorcyclist is banned
A motorcyclist from Staffordshire clocked speeding at 125mph in Wales had an anxious wait as magistrates considered an application to confiscate his £7,000 sports bike.
Paul Roy Walklate pleaded guilty to dangerous driving at 9.20am on May 23 on the A470 near Trawsfynydd. The court heard the road surface was wet with puddles everywhere, there were numerous junctions, including farm entrances, in the vicinity and the road was undulating with restricted visibility.
Because of the speed and the road conditions, a charge of dangerous driving was imposed against the 42-year-old bricklayer, of Cemetery Road, Cannock rather than one of speeding.
Tracey Willingham, prosecuting at Dolgellau Magistrates Court yesterday, said: "The officer estimated the speed at over 100mph and was shocked when the pro laser device registered 125mph.
"The police officer explained to the rider that the consequences could have been fatal, should a vehicle turn right either in or out of the many junctions."
Walklate had been on holiday in the Barmouth area and had gone for a ride along the A496 through Harlech and then the A470 to Trawsfynydd and to return along the A496.
Because he had no previous convictions, had shown remorse and co-operated fully with the police, an application to confiscate his BMW 1200R motorcycle was denied.
Magistrates imposed 60 hours unpaid work in the community with £60 court costs and banned him from driving for 12 months.
