A man who rode his motorbike at 120mph in a 60mph zone has been fined £450 and banned from driving for three months.
Keith Gear, of York Road in Douglas, pleaded guilty in court to speeding and was also ordered to pay £50 court costs.
The 60mph speed limit was a temporary one set up on the A3 Glen Helen to Kirk Michael road during this year’s TT.
The court heard how, at 12.10pm on May 28, 50-year-old Gear was riding his Honda motorcycle along the road towards Kirk Michael.
An unmarked police motorcycle patrol with onboard camera equipment was travelling behind Gear.
The officer riding the bike reported that the weather was fine and the road was busy with traffic travelling in both directions as they went through Glen Helen.
It was said that Gear was travelling at excessive speed and the officer followed him as they went through Hanley’s Corner between the 11th and 12th milestone.
After the bend Gear accelerated to 120mph in an area which still had a speed limit of 60mph.
As he came into Kirk Michael he slowed and stopped at Michael Car Centre.
When spoken to by the officer Gear, who has no previous convictions, said: ‘I do understand where you’re coming from but I wasn’t being careless. I do understand what they charge you for.’
Defending Gear in court, his advocate Pamela Pringle handed in letters of reference on behalf of her client.
The references told how Gear had passed advanced driving tests for both a bike and a car.
Ms Pringle said: ‘My client is very safety conscious. At one time he was even teaching the advanced test on a voluntary basis.
‘He got caught out by a temporary speed limit put there for the TT. He missed the speed limit sign due to being followed closely by another bike, which turned out to be the police.
‘He thought the rider was going to overtake him so he slowed down then stopped. Speeding goes totally against his values. He apologises to the court and wishes to convey to the court that he will be much more vigilant in future. He simply got caught out by the temporary speed limit and got caught up with the TT.
‘Had he been aware of the limit he certainly wouldn’t have been speeding. I would ask that he is dealt with leniently and you do not disqualify him.’
Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said: ‘You are an extremely experienced rider. References speak very highly of you saying you are a safe driver. However, you were twice the legal speed limit whether temporary or not. Speed limits are put on the roads for a reason during TT, to keep everyone safe.
‘There are plenty of places on the island you can travel at 120mph and do so safely. It wasn’t safe at that point in the road.’