Driver accused of doing 90mph tells court his van can't go that fast

Timothy Batty (37), of Hawthorne Road, Wath, pleaded guilty at Sheffield Crown Court yesterday (Thursday) to dangerous driving and driving without insurance.

He admitted driving his Vauxhall Vivaro dangerously on Droppingwell Road, Grange Lane, and other roads around Kimberworth and Thorpe Hesley on May 12, on the basis that he did not believe his van could reach 80mph or 90mph, as claimed by the police.

Mr Richard Adams, mitigating, said: “The defendant accepts driving dangerously and at excessive speeds, however, he disputes police estimates describing him driving at speeds of up to 90 and 80mph.

“The defendant will argue his vehicle was not capable of reaching such speeds in those circumstances.

“He accepts it was excessive and accepts it would be capable of achieving 60mph or 70mph.

“It's a very old van.”

Mr Adams said the speed limits on the roads he was driving on were 30mph or 40mph.

A search for the vehicle on the DVLA website shows that the diesel vehicle was manufactured in 2004.

Judge Rachael Harrison released Batty on unconditional bail until his sentencing on December 18 and handed him an interim driving ban.