Biker clocked at 122mph with son

https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7865674.stm

A Devon motorcyclist has been told he could face jail after he was caught speeding at 122mph (196kph) – with his 14-year-old son riding pillion.

Robert Bennett opened the throttle on his 1300cc Suzuki because it started to rain, Exeter Crown Court was told.

The cleaning supervisor was on the A361 North Devon Link road near South Molton when he was caught by a police camera.

Bennett, from Barnstaple, admitted dangerous driving and was bailed until March for sentencing.

He was also banned from driving until he is sentenced next month.

Christopher Bennett, prosecuting, said a police officer was sitting in a van when he heard a motorbike accelerating hard and he activated the camera.

Dual carriageway

Bennett was snapped doing 122mph and the camera also picked up his son holding on with his bare hands to the back of his seat.

David Sapiecha, defending, said Bennett had ridden the bike at that speed for about a quarter to half a mile on the 60mph dual carriageway.

I hold my hands up – I was doing 122mph on that road and that was dangerous, especially with my lad on board
Robert Bennett, motorcyclist

He said: “He accepts his 14-year-old son was on board at the time. He now accepts that that was dangerous.

“There were no injuries, there was no accident.”

Judge Phillip Wassall adjourned the case for a reports, but told Bennett that custody was one of the options open to the court.

The judge said: “You have pleaded guilty to a serious offence.”

Outside the court, Bennett said: “I have been riding bikes since I was a lad.

“My Suzuki GSX-R is a 1300cc machine. It is the fastest bike around and it has a top speed of 220mph.

“But I hold my hands up. I was doing 122mph on that road and that was dangerous, especially with my lad on board.

“But it had started to rain and I pulled back the throttle.”