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Camlough car salesman clocked at 135mph as he demonstated to customer how fast car could go

Defence said: 'There was no other vehicle involved and he was not racing'

car speedometer

A Camlough man who was detected by police travelling at 135mph must wait until later this week to learn his fate.

Court heard the 37-year-old was a car salesman who was demonstrating to a customer what speeds the car could reach.

Gavin Murphy, of Ballynabee Road, pleaded guilty to excess speed and dangerous driving at Newry Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

It was heard that on March 30, at 4.50pm, police detected a BMW travelling at 135mph on the A1, Dromore, in a 70mph zone.

The driver identified himself as the defendant when stopped and made no reply to caution.

Prosecution stated that due to the “exceptionally high speed” this was viewed as dangerous driving.

Defence counsel stated: “He is admitting this at the first opportunity. The speeding and dangerous driving are the same offence but he knows this was unacceptable.

“He is a car salesman. On that day he was demonstrating how fast the car could go to a customer. There was no other vehicle involved and he was not racing.”

He continued: “He travelled at that speed for 520-metres and he accepts that he did not realise how fast he was going.

“The very nature of his work means that the loss of his licence will lead to loss of employment.”

District Judge Eamon King stated: “The defendant has pleaded guilty to two matters. He was virtually double the limit and that forms the subject of the second charge.”

“I would like to consider this before sentencing”.

The case was adjourned for sentencing on July 24.

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