A motorcyclist caught riding at what is thought to be the fastest speed recorded by police on a British road last week pleaded guilty to driving dangerously.
Andrew Osborne (29) of Marston Avenue, Lighthorne Heath, Leamington Spa, was clocked by a speed camera doing 157 mph on a dual carriageway in Buckinghamshire, Aylesbury magistrates were told.
Osborne appeared alongside fellow-biker Neil Bolger (29), of St Marks Close, Gaydon, Warwickshire, who was recorded doing 148 mph on the same stretch of road.
Prosecuting, Teresa Walker said both men were recorded speeding at 12.12 pm on March 25th this year on the A412 Tingewick bypass near Buckingham by Frank Yabsley, a camera technician for Thames Valley Police.
Osborne, who was riding a Kawasaki 1,200 cc motorcycle, was clocked doing 157 mph overtaking a large goods vehicle on a left-hand bend. Bolger, who was riding a Kawasaki 750 cc motorcycle, was clocked doing 148 mph on the same bend while overtaking the large goods vehicle.
Both men attended police stations where they admitted exceeding the speed limit and driving dangerously, said Ms Walker.
In court both pleaded guilty to driving dangerously on the A421 Tingewick bypass. Defending Osborne, Darren Rogers said his client's speed had been "grossly excessive", but there was no evidence he had consumed any drugs or alcohol.
He said Osborne had a clean driver's licence, no previous convictions and had been fully insured.
Defending Bolger, Nicholas Devine said his client also had a full clean driver's licence and had been fully insured. He said there was no evidence Bolger had consumed any alcohol or drugs, or that the two men had been racing.
Tony Glover, chairman of the bench, adjourned the case until July 15th for pre-sentence reports. He told Osborne and Bolger: "You are both released on unconditional bail but we are going to impose an interim disqualification on both of you. As from today you are disqualified from driving.
"If you are caught driving from now on that is a very serious offence in itself and could lead to custody in its own right."
Britain's fastest driver to be convicted is thought to be Daniel Nicks, who filmed himself at 175 mph in Buckinghamshire on his 900 cc Honda Fireblade in 2000.
Mr Yabsley said outside court that Osborne's 157 mph was the fastest speed on a British road recorded by police. - PA