A MOTORCYCLIST clocked speeding at 129mph was told he could have caused ‘significant damage to himself or others' had he crashed.

Thomas Mauven Hough, 26, was riding a Honda motorcycle on the A35 Puddletown Bypass after moving furniture for his grandmother in Wimborne on November 7 last year.

Prosecuting, Gareth Houston, told Weymouth Magistrates’ Court police officers sat in an unmarked police vehicle along the A35 eastbound.

An officer heard the ‘loud noise’ from the motorcycle’s exhaust, which was travelling on a clear road at around 4pm, and pulled out his speed gun to register Hough’s speed.

Mr Houston said: “A police officer suspected his speed and his speed gun confirmed this. His speed was recorded at 129mph.”

The defendant was stopped by police and he co-operated with police officers, the court heard.

Hough, of Chickerell Road in Chickerell, pleaded guilty to exceeding the speed limit on a dual carriageway.

David Williams, mitigating, said Hough had struggled with his personal life following the death of his father.

He added that his client was in lane one with "no other traffic on the road or in sight" and Hough appreciated that 129mph "is a ridiculous speed at any time or any place".

Mr Williams said: “He has ridden his bike from Chickerell to visit his grandmother in Wimborne.

“He was in a support bubble with his grandmother and wanted to go over to move furniture around the house.

“The offence occurred at 3.58pm on his way home. He just lost it.

“He had so much going on his head and let off steam. The only person he put in risk was himself.”

Mr Williams spoke of how Hough has "turned his life around" and had established a new career.

Character references described Hough as a "vital member of the team" and a "hard working" employee. He was also referred as a "safe and trustful driver" and spoke of how a driving ban would affect his career.

Chair of the bench, Robert Ford, was aware of Hough’s circumstances but said they did not excuse his manner of driving.

He told him: “You were travelling 59mph past the speed limit and it is there for your protection.

“You could have done significant damage if you hit someone. That is unacceptable on any circumstances, and you understand that.”

Hough was banned from driving for 30 days and ordered to pay a £646 fine, £65 victim surcharge and £110 in court costs.

Mr Ford added: “The reason is we have taken into account your clean driving record, the mitigation explained to you and taken into account that you are trying to get your life together.

“It is right you are banned as there must be considerate punishment so you must lose your licence. We hope that 30 days help keeps the employment you have gained, but you must understand this is expectational circumstances.

“Your advocate promised that you would not make that sort of mistake again. Do not speed.”