Excessive Sentence : 166mph biker

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166mph biker 'seduced by speed'
Neil Purves [Pic: Angus Blackburn]
Purves was jailed for nine months at Peebles Sheriff Court

A biker has been jailed for nine months after being caught doing what is believed to be the fastest speed ever recorded on a Scottish road.

Neil Purves, 27, of Cockburnspath, was detected by police as he travelled at 166mph on a 60mph stretch of the A702 near West Linton in the Borders.

He had admitted a charge of dangerous driving in a previous appearance at Peebles Sheriff Court.

Graham Walker, representing Purves, said he had been "seduced by speed".

In addition to his jail term, Purves has also been disqualified from driving for five years.

Mr Walker told the court: "It is fair to say superbikes have a seductive appeal to them.

"It is fair to say he was seduced by speed."

'Deeply ashamed'

However, Sheriff John Horsburgh said there was no alternative to a jail term.

He said: "The speed at which you were travelling means a custodial sentence is the only option I have."

The court heard that Purves, who has since sold his Suzuki GSX-R 1000 motorbike, covered 0.7 of a mile in just 16 seconds on 13 May this year.

His lawyer said he was "deeply ashamed" of the offence.

Procurator Fiscal Morag McLintock told a previous hearing: "We believe this is the highest speed that the police have ever recorded in Scotland.

"A police speed check was taking place when officers were alerted by a high pitched whine from the motorcycle's engine."

Last year more than 20 motorists were caught travelling at more than 100mph on the Dolphinton stretch of the A702.

It has sparked calls for permanent speed cameras in the area.
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/8329590.stm

Excessive Sentence?

A 9 month jail sentence for speeding seems rather excessive when you compare it to the stunts some people pull on these programs you seen on TV with people stealing cars and crashing them.
 
He was cought near some very good road.. I think i will be avoiding those ones in the future.
 
Prison time for speeding?! Yeah he's a really hardened criminal :/

Ok so he was nearly doing 3x the speed limit, but we don't have the full story (i.e. if the road was clear, the conditions were good etc...)

Of course a ban is to be expected but any more than that seems over the top to me.
 
Its a silly speed, i mean ive been 150mph+ on a private road, and it really is quite fast. At that speed its difficult to bring a bike to a controlled stop in a hurry. I dont think some people who pass comment when these stories crop up have been anywhere near that fast, so dont quite understand how silly it is in public. Guy was unlucky to get caught is the only issue here.
 
Totally over the top. Should have got a large fine and 12 month ban. That's more than enough punishment.
 
atpbx said:
Its a silly speed, i mean ive been 150mph+ on a private road, and it really is quite fast. At that speed its difficult to bring a bike to a controlled stop in a hurry. I dont think some people who pass comment when these stories crop up have been anywhere near that fast, so dont quite understand how silly it is in public. Guy was unlucky to get caught is the only issue here.
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not really, I've traveled a lot faster than 166 and as long as it's on a quiet straight and very long road it's not a danger to anyone really.

the bike is capable of it, and if the rider has judged the conditions ok for it then it's not bothering anyone and not any huge leap in danger..

that said speed limits do apply to everyone, but maybe the road / conditions / possible lack of other traffic should have been used as part of the court case.

i bet the judge had never been over 40mph in a 60 limit in his life... ;)


12month ban and a 600 quid fine would have been plenty....
 
I know those roads (a little bit - been on holiday in those parts a few times)... theres this really long straight - about 2 miles or so somewhere around there going past a hotel/golf course... won't tell you the speed I've done on it tho :D

I think its only harsh depending on the circumstances... if he was hooning it with complete disregard for other road users then I think its not enough... if it was on teh bit of road I think it was - you can see for miles - then its over the top and a ticking off + fine would be more suitable.
 
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He looks like a respectable chap in the pic. Jail is OTT. The police are just upset they had to do some paperwork.

I was pulled over on my bike when I was younger, I wasn't really speeding but I was going fast enough to get points and a fine I think. I chatted to the officer, confessed my sins and ended up talking for a while about observations and speed control then he said "I can see you're an educated lad and you've displayed to me you're in control and understand where to look and what to do, I'm not going to fine you but keep it safe and safe journey" and off he went. That's stuck with me, and I always stick to 30, 40, 50 etc. the best I can NSL... well... you know ;)

The court will have taken into consideration his previous driving offences, if any, which could show a tale flouting the rules and taking the pee with similar speeds. If so, then It's a fair cop I'd say (but then maybe he should have been banned sooner?).
 
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