A man who claims the reason he was speeding was because he was being chased received a one-year driving ban yesterday in Magistrates’ Court.

Randall Bassett, 28, of Southampton, pleaded guilty to driving a car at high speeds on three separate occasions. All three were on South Road in Warwick. On July 18, 2004, Bassett was caught driving at 78 kilometres. He was also charged with driving at 56 kilometres on September 7, 2005 and 76 kilometres on August 6, 2006.

Bassett explained to Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner that he was reluctant to explain himself but that he was being chased on two of those occasions but couldn’t remember which two they were. When asked how he knew he was being chased, the defendant said a car came speeding behind him so he pulled over to let the car pass him. Bassett said the car slowed down right behind him so he speeded up and the car followed. He was pulled over by Police soon after.

Mr. Warner asked Bassett if he had any reason to be chased.

He said: “No, I live a clean life. I’m a law abiding citizen apart from this.”

The defendant went on to explain that he was an active member of the community and needed to keep his licence so that he could continue coaching a women’s football team.

Bassett was fined a total of $1,300 and was disqualified from driving cars for a year.