'Show-off' driver went at 145mph

A 59-year-old old man, "showing off" in a BMW car, has been given a four-month suspended sentence for driving it at more than 145mph.

James Higgins, of Doynton, Bristol, who drove at high speed alongside another car, was convicted of dangerous driving on the A46 in South Warwickshire.

At his earlier trial, Higgins told the court he drove at speed "under duress".

But Judge Richard Griffith-Jones said he had lied and disqualified him from driving for two years.

'Enjoying high speed'

Referring to the incident, on 10 July 2007, Mr Griffith-Jones told Higgins, of Church Road, it was a dangerous piece of driving.

"As it happened, apart from the other fellow who was driving as fast as you, and the police, there was no-one else who was put in jeopardy - but there may have been," he said.

To call it racing was an overstatement, he said, as the two drivers were not overtaking each other, but there was an element of "showing off".

"It may be that he didn't know the other driver but, putting it as kindly as possible, they were both enjoying the high speed these vehicles can do," he said.

Higgins had his sentence suspended for a year, must complete 200 hours of unpaid work and pay costs of £2,300.

The second motorist pleaded guilty to the offence at an earlier hearing.