Norfolk firefighter caught speeding

Mary HamiltonA Norfolk firefighter admitted riding his motorcycle at more than three times the speed limit, a court has heard.Mary Hamilton

A Norfolk firefighter admitted riding his motorcycle at more than three times the speed limit, a court has heard.

Ian Lingwood, 28, was spotted by police in a patrol car speeding up Holt Road, Fakenham, from the mini roundabout junction with White Horse Street at about 9pm on September 26 last year.

Prosecuting, Malcolm Robins said the police patrol tracked Lingwood travelling at speeds of 72mph in a 20mph zone and as high as 88mph in a 30mph zone along the road.

Video footage from the patrol car camera was shown in court, showing Lingwood speeding over two pedestrian crossings before slowing down and being pulled over by the police.

Mitigating, Charles Langley said the offence took just 32 seconds from beginning to end, and was committed over a relatively short distance.

'It was excessive speed but the motorcycle was carefully driven,' he said. 'There were no pedestrians around and no other traffic, as we saw from the video.

'Lingwood is a retained fire fighter at Fakenham and he uses his motorcycle to drive to discharge those duties, but he accepts he could cycle to the station.

'He also hopes to train to drive fire engines, which he cannot do with more than six points on his licence.'

Judge Alasdair Darroch called Lingwood's actions 'a moment of madness', saying: 'Clearly you are a hard working and honest young man.

Lingwood, of Clover Road, Fakenham, admitted careless driving at Norwich Crown Court.

He was fined �150, ordered to pay �100 towards court costs and given six points on his licence.