A lorry driver has been banned from driving by Staines Magistrates’ Court last week, after being recorded travelling along a 50mph limit stretch of the A3 in Claygate at more than 100mph.

On Thursday, September 10, the court was told Stuart Dickson, 20, from Hornchurch in Essex, was caught by a speed camera on Tuesday, March 24, driving his Ford Mondeo on the northbound Esher bypass at 105mph.

Will Smout, defending Mr Dickson, asked the magistrates not to ban his client from the road, as he would lose his job as a lorry driver.

He said: “[The A3] moves from 70mph to 50mph quickly and my client didn’t know he was in the 50mph speed zone. He was on his way to see his girlfriend and he doesn’t know the roads. He cannot fathom how he reached that speed and he is exceedingly remorseful.

“He has a clean licence and he pleaded guilty at the earliest time. There are no aggravating factors in this case - he was not carrying passengers or near a school.

“Mr Dickson is employed as a lorry driver for Hermes.”

Mr Smout told the court Mr Dickson’s job for delivery company Hermes was his first and he was an exemplary employee. He also claimed a driving ban would effect his client’s future career prospects.

He said: “If he gets disqualified today he will lose his job. He will have to revert to going on benefits.”

Mr Smout suggested the court impose a six penalty points on his client’s licence.

But magistrate Pauline Hilton said the seriousness of the offence meant the court would have to ban Mr Dickson.

She told the defendant: “From time to time we all speed, but your speed was appalling. We have no choice but to disqualify you for 56 days. Your driving licence will be revoked and not automatically returned. You must apply for a new licence if you intend to drive.”

Mr Dickson was also fined £200 and made to pay £43 in costs with a £15 surcharge.

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