A BENTLEY driver who was caught speeding at 138 miles per hour on the M6 motorway has received a 56-day driving ban.

Jenny Waldron, chair on the magistrates in Kendal, said the speed reached by David Boothman on February 2 was the highest she had encountered.

The court heard how Boothman, who comes from Onchan in the Isle of Man, had just bought the Bentley Continental as a 60th birthday present for himself and had not realised how fast he had been travelling.

Mitigating, Boothman’s barrister said his client was very ashamed, adding: “In the Isle of Man we do not have speed limits on our best roads and, although this does not excuse the offence, it perhaps makes it a little more understandable how someone from the Isle of Man could find themselves in this position.”

As well as the driving ban, Boothman was ordered to pay a £500 fine, £60 costs and a victim’s surcharge of £15.

“This is actually the highest speed I have come across at court,” said Mrs Waldron. “It is nearly twice the speed limit on the motorway and speeding in such a powerful car posed a serious danger to yourself, your passengers and other road users.”