A motorcyclist caught speeding at 160mph on the A47 has been banned from driving for a year.

Eastern Daily Press: Motorcyclist report for driving 160mph on the A47 Thorney.Motorcyclist report for driving 160mph on the A47 Thorney. (Image: Archant)

Simon Anthony's blue BMW bike was seen going 'horrendously fast' on the A47 at Thorney at about 5.20pm on 14 August, police said.

The speed - more than twice the national limit - was one of the highest police have recorded locally and has overtaken ex-Cambridge United striker Jordan Slew as the fastest recorded driver in Cambridgeshire.

Anthony, 57, of Orchard Mews, Woodston, Peterborough will have to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and fined £400.

The full-time technical operator admitted speeding in December. The limit along that stretch of road is 70mph (112km/h).

At Cambridge Crown Court, Judge Gareth Hawkesworth heard there had been few vehicles on the road at the time, it had been a bright day and the ground was dry.

He ordered Anthony to retake his driving test when the ban expires.

Anthony was clocked on a laser device by officers from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire road policing unit, as they sat in a lay-by off the dual carriageway.

A spokesman for the Probation Service told the court Anthony was concentrating on the road and not on the speed he was doing.

The court heard that Anthony has since sold the motorcycle.

PC Dave Black from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Roads Policing Unit said: 'The motorcyclist was travelling horrendously fast.

'There is absolutely no reason for anyone to be travelling at such speeds on public roads.

'Not only was he putting himself at danger, but also the lives of other road users.'

BCH Road Policing tweeted at the time: 'This is not a race track. Rider reported #think'.

• The case tops Slew's record of 156mph, having led police on a high-speed chase along the A1 near Sawtry. He was banned from driving for six months and given a £1,400 fine.

• Last year Louie Howlett, 21, was caught doing 154mph in his Seat Leon on the A11 - more than twice the legal speed limit.

The Lakenheath mechanic was banned from driving for 56 days, given a £250 fine and £115 in court costs.