A MAN drove his Skoda Fabia at more than 100mph on the M4 because he thought his daughter had developed meningitis, magistrates in Swindon were told on Tuesday.

Motorway police in a stationary patrol car between junctions 15 and 16 spotted Steven Davies, 36, of Fochriw, Bargoed in Wales, driving at speed at 1.56am on August 9 this year. His speed was measured at 104mph.

When stopped and told what speed he had been doing Davies replied “really”, the police prosecutor told the court.

Davies, who represented himself in court, pleaded guilty to exceeding the 70mph speed limit for motorway driving.

He told the bench: “My girlfriend rang me to say my daughter had developed symptoms of meningitis, which is why I was rushing home.”

Davies produced a reference from his employer to the court. “I drive the minibus to work and it is pointless me going back if I lose my licence,” he said.

He was fined £415, reduced from £623 on account of his guilty plea, and was ordered to pay £85 court costs and a victim surcharge of £41. His licence was endorsed with six penalty points.