'Idiot' Sunderland driver escapes ban after reaching 80mph in 50mph zone

Matthew Norris, 29, of Morley Terrace, Fence Houses, received the ear bashing while pleading not to be banned from the roads.

District Judge Kathryn Meek told him “you idiot” before allowing him to keep his licence after hearing he had an otherwise unblemished 13-year driving record.

Norris had pleaded guilty to exceeding the limit on the A690, south of Houghton Cut, in his Audi on Sunday, November 24, at an earlier hearing.

He returned to South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court for sentencing and to urge Judge Meek not to disqualify him.

Married Norris, who represented himself, told her: “I require my car to get to and from work, which is 10 miles from home.

“I’m on a probationary period for another three months and I can’t be late, or I’ll risk losing my job.

“I would have to take two buses to get to work and it would take me an hour on public transport.

“I don’t want to lose my job, I don’t think that I could walk straight into another job.

“I also require my car to pick up my four-year-old daughter because my ex-partner lives 15 miles away.

“I have her every weekend and I have no-one else to collect her.”

He added: “I have no excuse for going at the speed I was going.

“I was going to pick up my daughter, who was at my mum’s and I was late. I have no excuse.”

Immediately after being labelled an “idiot”, Norris, who builds parts for trains, replied: “I do apologise.”

Judge Meek handed him eight penalty points and fined him £300 with £85 court costs and a £34 victim surcharge.

She told him his crime carried a discretionary ban, adding: “I take into account that you have held a driving licence, and a clean licence, for 13 years.

“I also take into account that you pleaded guilty at the outset. You really are in difficulties if you get any more points.

“Having held a licence for 13 years, this could be the lesson you needed.”

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