A MOTORIST caught speeding at over 100mph near Taunton has avoided a driving ban.

Robert Hope, 41, was clocked doing 101mph on the M5 southbound between Junction 25 for the county town and Taunton Deane Services.

Hope, 41, of Boma Road, Trentham, Stoke-on-Trent, pleaded guilty to the offence when he appeared at North Somerset Magistrates' Court.

The court heard on Tuesday (November 14) that he committed the offence in breach of the 70mph speed limit on February 28 this year.

He was handed six penalty points on his driving licence.

Despite accumulating sufficient points to be disqualified from driving under the totting up system, he avoided a ban due to mitigating circumstances of the effect it would have on his family.

He was fined £461 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £184 along with £95 towards prosecution costs, giving him a total court bill of £740, which must be paid by February 1.