Superbike rider who hit speeds of 134 mph avoids prison

A speeding motorcylist who rode a "Superbike" at 134 mph in a 60 mph zone has walked free from court after being given a 16-week suspended prison sentence.

However, Martyn Billings was banned from the road for two years after his reckless driving near Nantwich in Cheshire. He was caught after a police officer on an unmarked motorcycle saw and then filmed him riding.

Bilings was on a BMW S1000RR - a race oriented sport bike initially made by BMW Motorrad to compete in the 2009 Superbike World Championship. It is now in commercial production.

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Billings appeared at Chester Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 14 November where he was sentenced after previously pleading guilty to dangerous driving. The court was told that on Sunday August 17 this year Billings was riding his machine along the A534 between Bulkeley and Farndon in convoy with another rider.

The pair they were observed by a Cheshire Constabulary officer, who was riding an unmarked police motorcycle fitted with recording equipment. The officer noticed that the registration plate of Billings' motorcycle was obscured and began to follow the bikes.

During the officer's pursuit of Billings, they observed him repeatedly exceeding the speed limit, being witnessed travelling 74mph in a 40mph zone near Bulkeley, crossing over the solid white line road markings and overtaking several vehicles in one manoeuvre.

Billings later made no attempt to slow at a set of bends further down the A534 and his speed remained between 60 and 70mph upon entering a 50mph speed limit zone.

His motorcycle approached traffic ahead, now in a series of bends, with solid white line centre markings. Despite these obvious hazards and road markings, without any hesitation, Billings contravened the end of the solid white lines and overtook the rearmost car at over 60mph.

At this point the pursuing officer lost sight of Billings and the other rider due to their increased speed and their dangerous riding making it unsafe to follow. Concerned for the safety of other road users and pedestrians, the officer activated the blue lights on their motorbike in an attempt to make ground on the speeding riders.

The officer eventually caught up with the duo but, despite having blue lights activated, the riders increased their speed upon the road straightening out. Fitted equipment on the police captured Billings reaching 100mph in a 60mph zone, before accelerating even further and reaching a top speed of 134mph.

Billings, who was travelling in the rear position of the convoy, eventually reacted to the officer's presence, still travelling at a speed nearing 100mph, and pulled over. The other motorcycle, which the officer noted had no obvious number plate displayed, made no attempt to stop and fled from the scene.

At the roadside, Billings was apologetic to the officer, justifying his actions by claiming he only exceeded the speed limit in areas where he felt it was safe to do so. He also declined to reveal the identity of his fellow rider.

At Chester Magistrates' Court Billings was issued with a 16-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months. The 44-year-old, of Merrion Drive, Burslem, Stoke-on-trent was also issued with a two-year driving ban and ordered to pass an extended driving test before being allowed to drive again. The court also issued him to serve 300 hours of community service along with being required to pay a victim surcharge of £239.

PC Philip Brewster of Cheshire's Roads and Crime Unit, said: "The riding observed by Billings was extreme and unnecessary. Throughout he subjected himself and other road users to significant risk of harm without good cause.

"Regardless of whether you choose to ride a bike or drive a car, we take road safety in Cheshire very seriously and we will always take swift action against you if you choose to flout the rules of the road and put the lives of others in danger."