'Heavy-footed' charity worker advised to swap BMW for camper van after smashing speed limit on John Reid Road

Defence counsel Richard Selway told a court speedster Philip Whale, 61, of The Bridges, South Shields, should think about buying a slower motor to save him from temptation.

He admitted the social worker was “heavy footed”, which accounted for him doing 70mph on the 40mph John Reid Road in South Shields.

But he also said Whale carried out important work supporting children and parents, which saw him travel 200 miles a week around the region.

However, Mr Selway conceded that when caught speeding on Sunday, October 27 last year, Whale was helping his sister to move house.

His overall explanation to magistrates in South Tyneside saw Whale avoid a six-month driving ban – and leave court instead with six fresh penalty points on his licence.

But he must also pay £633 in fines and court costs, after being caught speeding between Whiteleas Way and King George Road.

Safety campaigners have recently called for a crackdown on speeding drivers on the busy dual carriageway after a spate of accidents.

“What we are saying is six points as opposed to a disqualification, even a short disqualification, would be detrimental,” Mr Selway told the hearing, stressing his client worked for a charity.

“He is a social worker and he travels daily in his car. He has several clients that he sees on a daily basis, children and parents as well.

“He is remorseful, and it was out of character and he has no previous. On the day in question, it was a day off and he was assisting his sister to move house.

“He’d done that stretch of road at least twice. He had a BMW and we can say he had been heavy footed.

“He’s a man of a certain age. He could get a camper van that couldn’t do high speed.

“It was on this one occasion that he’s reached these heady heights, as it were.”

Whale, who pleaded guilty to speeding, was fined £498 with £85 court costs and a £50 victim surcharge.

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