A motorcyclist stripped of his licence for 16 weeks after being caught travelling at 103mph in a 40mph limit on the Suffolk/Norfolk border has said he made 'a stupid mistake'.

A senior roads policing officer described Karl De Wilton-Holmes' speed at Corton, near Lowestoft, as 'appalling'.

De Wilton-Holmes, of Honey Close, Norwich, was disqualified from driving at his sentencing at West Suffolk Magistrates' Court in Bury St Edmunds.

He had been working at Wymondham Police Investigation centre as a security officer at the time, but says he has since been dismissed.

The 57-year-old had previously admitted exceeding the 40mph speed limit on the A1117.

The offence happened at shortly before 11.55am on March 22 while De Wilton-Holmes was riding a Yamaha YZF R1.

In addition to his ban De Wilton-Holmes was fined £215 and ordered to pay £85 costs. He must also pay £22 to the victims' fund.

'When I got stopped I instantly knew what I was doing,' De Wilton-Holmes said after the hearing. The copper was sat at the bottom of the road and had heard me coming. I told him I realised I was speeding but I didn't think I was going anywhere near 103. I thought I was doing 70 or 80, and I honestly thought the limit on that road was 60.'

While a section of the A1117 is built-up residential; De Wilton-Holmes said he only broke the limit after clearing the housing and never meant to endanger the public. 'I have only used the road a few times and I never realised the speed limit,' he said. 'Once you get off the roundabout it's just a wide open piece of road. There is nothing at all around it.

'I didn't put anyone's life in danger except my own. I would not have done it if there was any danger to anyone. It was a stupid mistake and I am paying for it.

'I have learned my lesson. Last time I got banned for speeding I was 18, and I have just turned 57. I should have known better and I am kicking myself. I have just got to live with it.'

After the hearing Inspector Dave Giles from Norfolk and Suffolk's Roads Policing Serious Collision Investigation Team said: 'The disregard to the speed limit shown by this motorist is appalling. 'Speeding is one of the 'fatal four' for a good reason – 103mph on the A14 is bad, 103mph in a 40mph zone is ridiculous. We strive to make the roads of Suffolk as safe as possible and will continue to enforce the law where we can for the safety of the wider public.'

Police and crime commissioner for Norfolk Lorne Green said of the case: 'Reckless driving is unfair to everybody in the community. Excess speed kills.'