Leon Haslam escapes driving ban

WSB podium finisher fined £640 after being clocked at over 100mph in Ford Focus

Posted: 18 March 2009
by Visordown News

WORLD SUPERBIKE racer Leon Haslam has escaped a driving ban after being caught doing 103mph.

Haslam, who is riding for Stiggy Honda in this year's WSB chamionship, admitted breaking the 70mph limit in his Ford Focus on the A50 on January 17. Derby Magistrates' Court heard how Haslam was stopped by police and found to have reached 103mph, reports the Nottingham Evening Post.

Haslam has other previous driving offences and also fronts a road safety campaign for motorcyclists in the Derbyshire area.

Rachel Young, defending for Haslam, said:

"Mr Haslam's driving licence does not make particularly good reading but he currently has only three points on it. "It is an extremely positive thing that over the past few years he has been involved in various bike safety campaigns. He is aware of the impact which speed can have on certain circumstances and he works with the local police."

Haslam was fined £640 and ordered to pay £35 costs and £15 victim surcharge.

Magistrate Bob McBlane said:

"I am not going to lecture you about speed because you know more than me about that. What you did was irresponsible but we are giving you a chance and there will be no ban. I don't want to see you here any more."

Haslam said after the hearing: "There are really no excuses. It was just one of those things and I am sorry about it."

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Discuss this story

derbyguy

As a local person to that area, name withheld.

Is this not favouritism in the least? A local "celebrity" being excused but bet the next bloke isnt.

100mph instant ban should mean that, regardless of sex, creed, colour or profession!!!

as for £640.00, with what he earns its a drop in the ocean!!!

Posted: 18/03/2009 at 12:39

FatBoyTim

at last a level headed punishment for nothing more than a speeding offence

well done to the magistrate on this occasion

Posted: 18/03/2009 at 12:56

CBR6DC

agree with tim. common sense prevails. he didn't kill or hurt noone.

Posted: 18/03/2009 at 13:12

Mr Marv

Nob,

The A50 in and through Derby is crawling with feds..

I dont think its anything to do with his profession. I know a lot of people who have been slapped with a fine for over 100mph.

Not as many people are being given instant bans for it now.

Posted: 18/03/2009 at 13:29

Big_Dave

Mr Marv wrote (see)

Nob,
The A50 in and through Derby is crawling with feds..
I dont think its anything to do with his profession. I know a lot of people who have been slapped with a fine for over 100mph.
Not as many people are being given instant bans for it now.

unless your on a bike in which case they will chuck you in with the kiddy fiddlers...

Posted: 18/03/2009 at 14:01

muthaf9cka

FatBoyTim wrote (see)

at last a level headed punishment for nothing more than a speeding offence
well done to the magistrate on this occasion

explain the £15 victim surcharge then

Posted: 18/03/2009 at 14:53

CBR6DC

muthaf9cka wrote (see)

FatBoyTim wrote (see)
at last a level headed punishment for nothing more than a speeding offence
well done to the magistrate on this occasion

explain the £15 victim surcharge then

the victim is the poor camera or policeman as they can't live on nothing or have no film.

Posted: 18/03/2009 at 15:26

Fury Man

I got done at over 100 on the A50, between chellaston and donington - got pulled over though and let off with 3 points and 60 quid!

Was an un-marked car!

Posted: 18/03/2009 at 16:32

K100RS

derbyguy wrote (see)

As a local person to that area, name withheld.
Is this not favouritism in the least? A local "celebrity" being excused but bet the next bloke isnt.
100mph instant ban should mean that, regardless of sex, creed, colour or profession!!!
as for £640.00, with what he earns its a drop in the ocean!!!

100 plus does not mean an instant ban and it never has, it is simply the rules that the police, CPS and the courts apply to the offence.

10% plus 2 is the minimum for prosecution.

Upto 25mph over the limit a fixed penalty can be issued.

Over 25mph the offence has to be dealt with by the courts, but the offender can given the oppotunity to plead by letter (Magistrates Court Act).

100 plus and the magistrates require the offender to appear before court because they may consider a ban.

Posted: 18/03/2009 at 17:08

Road Pirate

Bah!

10 years prison followed by execution is the only solution to these road criminals.

Let me knock out a qucik letter of complaint to my local MP and the Daily Mail.

Yours,

The Daily Mail.

Posted: 18/03/2009 at 18:37

wavydave13

derbyguy wrote (see)

As a local person to that area, name withheld.
Is this not favouritism in the least? A local "celebrity" being excused but bet the next bloke isnt.
100mph instant ban should mean that, regardless of sex, creed, colour or profession!!!
as for £640.00, with what he earns its a drop in the ocean!!!

bitter aren't we.?

Posted: 18/03/2009 at 19:05

stratman

Bloody ridiculous anyway. If he'd been caught shoplifting, or drunk and disorderly causing offence to women and children, the fine would have been no where near £640.

Posted: 19/03/2009 at 14:06

User 67217

Maybe he saw his clock on e-bay and thought he was late!