Racing another car at 123mph on the M1

David Wright, Ballyloughan Road, Portadown, was fined £200 and banned for 18 months for dangerous driving on July 25 last year.

For speeding he was fined £120 and banned for 18 months. He was also ordered to pay a £15 offender’s levy.

The court heard that at 12.55am a police vehicle on the M1 was passed by two cars at Moira heading towards Lurgan.

The second vehicle, which was driven by the defendant, was close behind the other vehicle and was travelling at 123mph.

A solicitor representing the defendant said he had points on his licence.

He added that Wright accepted he had been driving dangerously and the gap between him and the car in front was never enough if there a sudden brake had to be made.

“It was an immature, foolish, reckless and dangerous thing to do,” said the solicitor who handed in testimonials to the court on behalf of his client.

District Judge, Mr Mervyn Bates, said Wright was a young man with a clear record and of good character with a good job.

But, he added, the offences were aggravated not just by the fact the defendant was driving at 123mph but also that the two vehicles were racing.

Imposing the fines and ban Judge Bates said Wright would have to take the extended driving test before he got back on the road again.