This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/derbyshire/7955457.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
No jail term for '173mph' driver No jail term for '173mph' driver
(about 2 hours later)
A motorist allegedly clocked at 173mph (278km/h) by police has escaped jail after prosecutors failed to prove his car was capable of such a speed.A motorist allegedly clocked at 173mph (278km/h) by police has escaped jail after prosecutors failed to prove his car was capable of such a speed.
Police caught Tex O'Reilly, 36, from Canal Bridge, Willington, speeding on the A515 in Derbyshire.Police caught Tex O'Reilly, 36, from Canal Bridge, Willington, speeding on the A515 in Derbyshire.
He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving at Derby Crown Court for driving his Lotus Elise at 105mph (169km/h) in a 50mph zone in July 2008.He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving at Derby Crown Court for driving his Lotus Elise at 105mph (169km/h) in a 50mph zone in July 2008.
Mr O'Reilly was fined £5,000 and given a two-year driving ban.Mr O'Reilly was fined £5,000 and given a two-year driving ban.
Lotus soldLotus sold
Prosecutors insisted the officers' speed recording device was reliable.Prosecutors insisted the officers' speed recording device was reliable.
But defence lawyers successfully argued Mr O'Reilly's car, which was unmodified, was not able to reach 173mph after Lotus confirmed the car had a top limit of only 127mph (204km/h).But defence lawyers successfully argued Mr O'Reilly's car, which was unmodified, was not able to reach 173mph after Lotus confirmed the car had a top limit of only 127mph (204km/h).
Handing Mr O'Reilly his fine and ban, Judge Andrew Hamilton said: "May I make it absolutely clear that had you been driving at 150mph (241km/h) you would have been going immediately to prison.Handing Mr O'Reilly his fine and ban, Judge Andrew Hamilton said: "May I make it absolutely clear that had you been driving at 150mph (241km/h) you would have been going immediately to prison.
"However you were not driving at 150mph, you were driving at 105mph and, for whatever reason, the prosecution have accepted that basis of plea and that puts the case in a different light.""However you were not driving at 150mph, you were driving at 105mph and, for whatever reason, the prosecution have accepted that basis of plea and that puts the case in a different light."
Speaking outside court, Mr O'Reilly said: "I accept my ban...I knew I was going to get banned. I take full responsibility for it.Speaking outside court, Mr O'Reilly said: "I accept my ban...I knew I was going to get banned. I take full responsibility for it.
"The fine's stung me a bit in the pocket but I'll pay that off by the date they've told me.""The fine's stung me a bit in the pocket but I'll pay that off by the date they've told me."
He added he had since sold the Lotus. He added he had since sold the Lotus and his current car, a Ferrari, would be put into storage for the duration of his driving ban.