THE owner of a small double-glazing company was driving home to Royal Wootton Bassett on the M4 in the early hours of a January morning when his speed was recorded by police as 118mph.

Magistrates in Swindon heard that Joao Pedro Alves Antunes, 39, of Orchard Mead, drove his BMW 320D at speeds of between 98mph and 118mph at 1.50am on January 20 this year on the stretch of motorway between Membury services and Junction 15.

Representing himself, he pleaded guilty to speeding and told the court that he was very tired and anxious to get home.

He said he was the sole breadwinner for his partner and her child and had one employee who relied on him for his livelihood. He did not want his family to suffer for his mistakes.

Chairman of the bench Mrs Crockett told Antunes he had shown disregard for his family and the safety of other road users.

“I don’t understand why you did not stop at Membury services,” she said.

He was disqualified from driving for 10 days, fined £625 and ordered to pay court costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £62.