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Chester: Wrexham man reached 122mph travelling through village

Chester: Wrexham man reached 122mph travelling through village

Leader Live20 hours ago
Gareth Ashford-Williams, 40, of Pen Y Graig Road, appeared at Chester Magistrates Court on Tuesday, August 19.
He had previously pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle dangerously at a hearing on Monday, July 21.
Scott Woodward, prosecuting, told the court that on Saturday, January 18, at about 12.30pm, officers on patrol sighted a VW Golf driving dangerously through the Barton area of Cheshire.
An unmarked police motorcycle, fitted with a dash camera and speedometer, was also in attendance.
OTHER NEWS:
Officers witnessed Ashford-Williams travelling on the A534 Barton Road, which carries the national speed limit, and for a distance of around one mile, the car was observed travelling at up to 122mph.
He was later stopped and arrested.
The court heard that he had no previous convictions.
Olivia Davin, defending, said that the defendant was aware that this was 'an extremely serious offence' and that he had 'no excuse' for driving at this speed.
Ms Davin said there was 'not a smudge' on his record and that he had expressed remorse and he deeply regretted his actions.
On the day in question the defence said Ashford-Williams could feel the onset of a 'severe migraine' something he had suffered with regularly for 16 years.
These migraines often 'triggered panic attacks' and he had taken what he described as a 'stupid' decision in an attempt to get home.
He had also lost his father around the time of the offence, and was struggling with an 'intense amount of grief'.
As the main 'bread winner' in his family, which includes his wife and young son, the defence added that an immediate custodial sentence would also mean that others would suffer as a result.
Magistrates called the speed that Ashford-Williams had driven at 'quite frankly ridiculous' adding that he was 'lucky' not to hurt himself or someone else.
He was given a 12-month community order, including 200 hours of unpaid work, and was banned from the road for 24 months.
He will also pay costs of £85 and a mandatory surcharge of £114.
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