Published: Friday, 21st August, 2009 11:32am

Flying doctor banned after reaching 102mph

A FLYING doctor has been banned from driving after topping 100mph in a Honda sports car on a notorious mile-long straight in the Borders.

The offence happened on the same stretch where a motorcyclist denied travelling at the fastest ever speed recorded on a Scottish road - 166mph.

Dr Anthony Poole admitted driving carelessly on a jaunt in the countryside with his girlfriend and overtaking four cars at two junctions at the speed of 102mph on a road which has a 60mph limit.

The 30-year-old of Dynevor Road, London, had denied dangerous driving on the A702 road at Dolphinton on March 28.

But shortly before a trial was due to take place at Peebles Sheriff Court he pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of careless driving.

Dr Poole said he had since sold the Honda sports car and was relying on a pool car at the London medical practice where he worked.

But he argued his licence was essential to carry out his duties as a GP.

But Sheriff John Horsburgh said: "Having regard to the narrative the Crown has given, a period of disqualification is essential in the interests of public safety."

Dr Poole was fined £540 and disqualified from driving for six months.

At the same court hearing in Peebles, motorcyclist Neil Purves, 27, from Cockburnspath, Berwickshire, pleaded not guilty by letter to reaching 166mph on the same stretch of the road on the A702 on May 13.

If convicted it will be the highest ever speed recorded on a Scottish road.

The trial was fixed for October 14 with an intermediate hearing on September 30.

Scotland's current fastest speeder is car dealer Jason McAllister who was jailed for five months in 2003 at Forfar Sheriff Court for driving his BMW M3 at 156.7mph on the A90 between Aberdeen and Dundee.

McAllister from Aberdeen - who was 27 at the time - also admitted dangerous driving and driving while disqualified.

As well as the prison sentence, McAllister was disqualified for four years and ordered to resit an extended test after a sheriff described his speed as "absolutely outrageous."

Last year more than 20 motorists were caught topping the ton on that section of the A702 sparking calls for permanent speed cameras to be erected.