Driver banned after police caught him doing 147mph on M3 motorway
John Hornby was disqualified from driving after pleading guilty to speeding at 147mph in his Audi S4
A motorist has been disqualified from driving after hitting speeds of 147mph on a Hampshire motorway.
John Hornby, 62, of Burley, Hampshire, pleaded guilty to travelling at more than double the speed limit on the M3.
Aldershot Magistrates’ Court heard how a police officer spotted Hornby’s Audi S4 travelling at high speeds between junctions seven and six on the northbound carriageway near Basingstoke on June 13 last year.
Whilst following the vehicle, PC Jamie Foster recorded Hornby driving at an average speed of 147.1mph.
He was then pulled over by PC Foster, who was driving an unmarked police car.
Prosecutor Paul Matcham told the court that this was “amongst the highest speeds” that he has prosecuted – which equates to more than double the speed limit of 70 mph.
Hornby, who pleaded guilty to the offence, was sentenced in his absence yesterday.
He was disqualified from driving for nine months, fined £325 and ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £32 victim surcharge.
PC Foster said after the hearing: “We see a lot of things in this job but even I was shocked to see someone driving at such high speeds.
“You can see from the footage just how dangerous it was. He was not only risking his own life but the lives of other innocent road users and that is unacceptable.
“It is sheer luck that Hornby’s driving that day did not cause a collision, because if it had, the consequences at that speed would have undoubtedly been fatal.
“There is absolutely no excuse for such reckless and totally irresponsible driving and we will take action against those who put lives at risk.”
A spokesperson for Brake, the road safety charity, said: “This is an appalling case of dangerous, excessive speed.
“Breaking the speed limit by any amount is a serious offence, but individuals who selfishly flout the law by exceeding the limit by such significant amounts are putting themselves and other road users at risk of death or very serious injury.
“Mr Hornby has shown a shocking disregard for the safety of other road users, and it is a miracle that no-one was injured or killed.
“At Brake, we see every day the devastating impact road crashes caused by speeding have on families and communities across the country. Speed limits exist for a reason – they save lives.”
Hornby said after being sentenced that he would be able to continue his work as a craftsman despite the ban, but was reluctant to comment further.
