Speeding jet bike rider is fined

Marine authorities have branded a water jet bike rider who was fined for speeding as "extremely dangerous".

Adam Langdown, of Seacole Gardens, Southampton, was caught doing 46 knots in a six-knot zone on Southampton Water in April.

He was cautioned by marine police and allowed to proceed, but he then broke the limit again and was apprehended.

Magistrates fined him £700 and ordered him to pay a further £1,714 costs when he appeared in court last week.

Langdown was caught on 22 April when Cunard's "Three Queens" - Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth 2 - lined up in a historic meeting in Southampton.

Speeding on the water is as unacceptable as it is on land Sgt Andy Simpson, Hampshire Police

Police clocked him at 46 knots in a six-knot zone and claimed it was the equivalent of a motorist doing 230mph in a 30mph limit.

Harbour Master, Captain Philip Holliday, said: "In this instance, Mr Langdown was not only travelling at excess speed - on a day when the water was very busy and extra care would have been preferable in any case - but he had the audacity to ignore his initial warning from the police and to then actually increase his speed.

"I believe the penalty given to him is therefore appropriate.

"Any mariner who does not comply with the law is posing an unacceptable risk to all users of the port."

Sgt Andy Simpson, of Hampshire Police Marine Support Unit, said: "Speeding on the water is as unacceptable as it is on land.

"In this particular case, it was potentially extremely dangerous."

In addition to the fine and costs Langdown was ordered to pay a £15 contribution to the Victims' Support Fund when he appeared at Southampton Magistrates' Court on 17 September.