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| Suffolk PCC brands 154mph driver's 56-day ban a 'joke' | Suffolk PCC brands 154mph driver's 56-day ban a 'joke' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A 56-day driving ban given to driver caught speeding at 154mph has been described as a "joke". | |
| Louie Howlett, 21, was clocked driving on the A11 at Icklingham, Suffolk, in April. | Louie Howlett, 21, was clocked driving on the A11 at Icklingham, Suffolk, in April. |
| Magistrates in Bury St Edmunds disqualified him on Tuesday for 56 days - the maximum sentence the court can impose - and fined him £365. | Magistrates in Bury St Edmunds disqualified him on Tuesday for 56 days - the maximum sentence the court can impose - and fined him £365. |
| Suffolk's police and crime commissioner Tim Passmore said the ruling was a "slap on the wrist". | Suffolk's police and crime commissioner Tim Passmore said the ruling was a "slap on the wrist". |
| More on this and other Suffolk stories | More on this and other Suffolk stories |
| He said he would ask the Sentencing Council why magistrates can only impose a maximum 56-day ban. | |
| "We should be looking at a few years... To me, it's a joke because it doesn't send a strong enough message." | "We should be looking at a few years... To me, it's a joke because it doesn't send a strong enough message." |
| The Sentencing Council said it did not comment on individual cases and maximum penalties are set by parliament. | |
| 'Grossly irresponsible' | 'Grossly irresponsible' |
| Howlett, from Lakenheath, admitted speeding and told magistrates he was "sorry" and "had learnt his lesson". | Howlett, from Lakenheath, admitted speeding and told magistrates he was "sorry" and "had learnt his lesson". |
| Suffolk Police lodged an immediate appeal of the sentence and said they believed it to be the highest speeding offence recorded on the county's roads. | Suffolk Police lodged an immediate appeal of the sentence and said they believed it to be the highest speeding offence recorded on the county's roads. |
| Mr Passmore said he would also query whether severe cases of speeding should be charged as dangerous driving. | Mr Passmore said he would also query whether severe cases of speeding should be charged as dangerous driving. |
| "Driving at that speed [154mph] is grossly irresponsible, remarkably selfish and has a wanton disregard for every other road user on the A11. | "Driving at that speed [154mph] is grossly irresponsible, remarkably selfish and has a wanton disregard for every other road user on the A11. |
| "If you want to do that sort of speed, go to a race track." | "If you want to do that sort of speed, go to a race track." |
| Magistrates' sentencing guidelines for speeding | Magistrates' sentencing guidelines for speeding |
| Magistrates follow guidelines laid down in the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. | Magistrates follow guidelines laid down in the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. |
| Their starting point is a fine and three points, rising to a maximum of a larger fine plus six points, or a driving disqualification of 56 days. | Their starting point is a fine and three points, rising to a maximum of a larger fine plus six points, or a driving disqualification of 56 days. |
| The maximum speed by which they base their sentence is 101-110mph in a 70mph zone. A speed of 154mph falls outside the guidelines. | The maximum speed by which they base their sentence is 101-110mph in a 70mph zone. A speed of 154mph falls outside the guidelines. |
| Magistrates must also consider aggravating factors such as passengers and any mitigating circumstances, usually limited to a genuine emergency. | Magistrates must also consider aggravating factors such as passengers and any mitigating circumstances, usually limited to a genuine emergency. |
| A reduction for a guilty plea is also considered. | A reduction for a guilty plea is also considered. |
| Source: Sentencing Council | Source: Sentencing Council |