A man who drove his car at 80 mph with the Police in pursuit claimed he could not remember anything about the incident, a court heard.

Rudolph Bean, 53, pleaded guilty yesterday to speeding at 131 kph (the equivalent of 81 mph), dangerous driving and of having no driving licence.

He also admitted a separate offence of having no motorcycle helmet on November 3.

Bean, of North Shore, told Magistrates' Court: "I don't remember anything as I was suffering from chronic bipolar disorder. I just crashed my car."

Magistrate Juan Wolfe said: "It's quite serious, 131 kph. You crash a car at that speed the Lord is definitely looking over you for you still to be here. My list doesn't even go up to 131 kph."

Senior Crown counsel Carrington Mahoney said the incident took place on December 3, 2004, as Police were conducting laser speed checks along Kindley Field Road, St. George's.

"At 7.20 a.m. a white Toyota motor car was being driven west when it passed through a Police laser speed check at 131 kph," said Mr. Mahoney.

'It then overtook a lane of cars. The defendant was then pursued by a Police car and was seen to travel the wrong way around a roundabout, causing one car to crash.

"The defendant then headed across the Causeway. He drove through heavy traffic and was overtaking vehicles at 100 kph.

"He continued west at a high speed towards Pembroke before being involved in a collision with the rear of a Jeep. No one was injured, but the collision caused substantial front-end damage."

Mr. Wolfe told Bean: "Your guardian angel was at your shoulder."

The defendant replied: "I was just diagnosed with the sickness and I was just wondering if I could get a discharge. I've been driving since I was 18 or 19 and this came on (the bipolar disorder) in my late-40s."

But Mr. Wolfe said: "This sort of offence and speed, I can't give you a conditional discharge. This speed is off the charts.

"Although it was not your intent, you put a lot of people in danger that day, and I can't simply give you a conditional discharge for this sort of speed."

He fined Bean $500 for the speeding offence, plus $100 for not having a licence and $500 for dangerous driving.

Bean was also fined $75 for failing to wear a motorcycle helmet on November 3, to which he also plead guilty. His licence was endorsed with three penalty points.

The defendant's total fine was $1,275.