A DRIVER clocked speeding at 81mph on a motorway has avoided a ban due to a 'long term' family commitment.

David Poulton, of Chorley Hall Lane, Alderley Edge, pleaded guilty to exceeding the 70mph speed limit at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court on July 10.

The 38-year-old was caught speeding on the M1 between junctions 14 and 13 southbound at Milton Keynes on September 19, last year.

The defendant was caught on an automatic camera speeding at 81mph, the court heard.

Magistrates decided not to impose a disqualification after listening to mitigating circumstances.

Poulton said a family member would suffer ‘exceptional hardship’ if he lost his driving licence as he would no longer be able to honour a ‘long term commitment’.

The defendant was fined £666 and ordered to pay £266 victim surcharge, and £90 costs.

His driving licence was endorsed with three penalty points.

Magistrates took his guilty plea into consideration when imposing the sentence.

Poulton was granted permission to pay the £1,022 court penalty in monthly instalments of £500 starting on August 7.