Student nurse caught speeding twice at same part of A690

Jade Lawlor, 23, was caught over the speed limit both times on the A690 Durham Road at Houghton, a court heard.

She did so as she dashed to her first year studies at Sunderland University, where she is training to become a nurse.

Lawlor, of Lyne Road, Spennymoor, County Durham, committed the first offence on Wednesday, September 18 last year.

Magistrates in South Tyneside were told she was clocked travelling at 58mph on the 50mph dual carriageway.

Her second offence was on Friday, November 18, when she was spotted flooring the same 2019-plate Seat at 67mph.

Lawlor has now been hit with four penalty points for the higher speed offence and three points for the lesser.

It means the single mum, who had a previously clean driving licence, is now five points – or two speeding offences - from a possible roads’ ban.

Magistrates in South Tyneside warned her about her future driving conduct at a hearing.

Gerry Tierney, chair of the bench, told her: “It’s very important for you to have your car for childcare and for university.

“Getting from Spennymoor to Sunderland is not easy on public transport. We’ve taken a reasonably lenient view with you.”

Part-time pub worker and now second year student Lawlor, who defended herself in court, had previously pleaded guilty to both speeding offences.

She told magistrates she had not paid the fines as fixed penalties due to a lack of cash, a move which led her to appear in court.

Lawlor told the court: “I would obviously just like to apologise. I regret doing what I did. I was just on my way to university.

“I’m a student nurse, so the use of my vehicle is very useful to getting me to Sunderland, and I’m a single parent.”

Lawlor, who passed her driving test around seven years ago, was fined £80 for the 67mph offence and £40 for the 58mph offence.

She must also pay £85 court costs and a £32 victim surcharge, all within 28 days.

Support your Echo and become a subscriber today.

Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest on SAFC and new puzzles every day.

With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Click here to subscribe.