A MOTORIST caught driving at more than 145mph near Basingstoke has been banned from getting behind the wheel.

John Hornby, 62, of Ringwood, pleaded guilty to speeding at 147mph on the M3, between junctions 7 and 6 on the northbound carriageway near Basingstoke.

Aldershot Magistrates Court heard today how a police officer spotted the Audi S4 travelling at high speed on June 13 last year.

The hearing was told how PC Jamie Foster recorded Mr Hornby doing an average speed of 147.1mph over a distance of one mile.

Watch the video here:

PC Foster, who was driving an unmarked police car, then pulled Mr Hornby over.

Prosecutor Paul Matcham told the court that this was “amongst the highest speeds” that he has prosecuted.

PC Foster, from the Joint Roads Policing Unit, said: “We see a lot of things in this job but even I was shocked to see someone driving at such high speeds.

“You can see from the footage just how dangerous it was.

“He was not only risking his own life but the lives of other innocent road users and that is unacceptable.

“It is sheer luck that Hornby’s driving that day did not cause a collision, because if it had the consequences at that speed would have undoubtedly been fatal.

“There is absolutely no excuse for such reckless and totally irresponsible driving and we will take action against those who put lives at risk.”

Mr Hornby, who had pleaded guilty to the offence, was sentenced in his absence at Aldershot Magistrates Court.

He was disqualified from driving for nine months, fined £325 and ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £32 victim surcharge.