Ex-fireman caught speeding at nearly 100mph on the A1 in Northumberland

A mobile speed camera captured Raymond Palmer, from Berwick, speeding at 96mph on a dual carriageway section of the A1 near Felton on March 22.

He pleaded guilty to the offence and requested a court hearing to address magistrates before sentencing.

James Long, prosecuting, told Berwick magistrates: “It was on the dual carriageway just before it goes down to single carriageway. There was a speed camera van parked up and it recorded the defendant driving a BMW southbound at 96mph.”

Mr Palmer, 65, of The Pastures, told magistrates he was taking his family to hospital to visit a sick relative who passed away three weeks later.

He said: “I would like to sincerely apologise for exceeding the speed limit. I fully accept responsibility for my actions.

“I was in the fire service for 30 years and I have seen the damage that can be caused by dangerous driving and speeding.

"I wanted an opportunity to explain the circumstances and express my genuine remorse.”

The court heard the defendant runs a fish and chip shop in Belford.

John Fleet, chairman of the bench, said: “I can well imagine that as a member of the fire service you must have attended numerous road traffic incidents and seen the consequences of excess speed – which, in a sense, makes this speed all the more regrettable.”

The defendant was fined £371 and ordered to pay a surcharge of £148 and £85 prosecution costs, totalling £604. His driving licence was endorsed with four penalty points.